Between Control and Care: Paternal Bonding, Self-Compassion, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury among Pakistani Young Male Adults

Abstract

While fathers and mothers hold distinct but complementary roles in child-rearing, the specific contribution of paternal bonding to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) risk remains underexamined, particularly among Pakistani young male adults. This study investigated the relationship between father bonding and NSSI, and the moderating role of self-compassion in this relationship. Data were collected from 300 young male adults engaged in NSSI, using purposive sampling. Father bonding was measured using the paternal form of the Parental Bonding Instrument (Parker et al., 1979), self-compassion was measured using the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003), and NSSI was assessed using the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury (Klonsky & Glenn, 2009). Findings showed that father care was negatively correlated with NSSI, while father overprotection was positively correlated with NSSI. Self-compassion significantly moderated both relationships, weakening the associations between father care, father overprotection, and NSSI. These findings suggest that self-compassion buffers the risk conferred by both low paternal care and high paternal overprotection, highlighting its potential clinical value as a protective resource where paternal bonding cannot readily be changed. The results support the development of culturally responsive interventions targeting self-compassion among Pakistani young male adults.