Profiling harsh parenting and the longitudinal association with non-suicidal self-injury in young adults: a mediation analysis

This study explored how distinct profiles of harsh parenting are associated with non-suicidal self-injury and whether parental alienation and core self-evaluation statistically explain these associations in a serial pathway. A total of 5,742 college students were recruited through convenience sampling at three waves with three-month intervals. To capture heterogeneity and probe potential mechanisms, we applied latent profile analysis and profile-specific serial mediation analysis. Three parenting profiles were identified: consistently high harsh parenting (Class 1), medium harsh parenting (Class 2), and low harsh parenting (Class 3). Across all profiles, harsh parenting showed indirect associations with non-suicidal self-injury via parental alienation and core self-evaluation, though the magnitude and specific indirect pathways differed by profile. These findings may inform tailored intervention efforts by identifying profile-specific risk patterns linked to non-suicidal self-injury among young adults.