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Xie R, Wang X, Ding Y, Chen Y, Ding W. The Impact of Parental Autonomy Support on Family Adaptation in the Context of "Double Reduction": The Mediating Role of Parent-Child Communication and Cohesion. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:534. [PMID: 39062357 PMCID: PMC11273578 DOI: 10.3390/bs14070534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The implementation of the "Double Reduction" policy indicates a significant change in the way households operate, such as through parental education conception and parenting form, in which family adaptation needs particular attention. Parental autonomy support has been evidenced to be related to family adaptation in prior studies. However, the mechanism underlying the relationship between parental autonomy support and family adaptation in the context of "Double Reduction" are not clear enough but remain fascinating. This study aims to explore the process through which parental autonomy support affects the whole family's adaptation in the context of "Double Reduction" from the perspectives of parent-child behavior and emotions (i.e., parent-child communication and parent-child cohesion). A cross-sectional design based on the questionnaire method was used to collect the characteristics of 4239 adolescent parents (1493 fathers and 3427 mothers; Mage = 43.20, SDage = 22.39) one year after the implementation of the "Double Reduction" policy. In addition, this study also used the retrospective method to obtain the characteristics of parental autonomy support before the "Double Reduction" policy. In the context of "Double Reduction", the research results found that parental autonomy support can predict family adaptation; parental autonomy support can also influence the whole family's adaptation through the quality of parent-child interaction. This study reveals the impact mechanism of parental autonomy support on family adaptation under the background of "Double Reduction" in China and provides insights on how to improve the adaptation of the entire family from the perspective of parent-child interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruibo Xie
- Parent Education Research Center, The Intelligent Laboratory of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Crisis Intervention of Zhejiang Province, School of Psychology, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Parent Education Research Center, The Intelligent Laboratory of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Crisis Intervention of Zhejiang Province, School of Psychology, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Yangguang Ding
- College of Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Yanling Chen
- Parent Education Research Center, The Intelligent Laboratory of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Crisis Intervention of Zhejiang Province, School of Psychology, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Wan Ding
- Parent Education Research Center, The Intelligent Laboratory of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Crisis Intervention of Zhejiang Province, School of Psychology, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
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Song Q, Su W, Li N, Wang H, Guo X, Liang Q, Qu G, Ding X, Liang M, Qin Q, Chen M, Sun L, Sun Y. Family function and emotional behavior problems in Chinese children and adolescents: A moderated mediation model. J Affect Disord 2023; 341:296-303. [PMID: 37661061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have shown that family function is associated with emotional behavior problems. However, the underlying relationship mechanisms between family function and emotional behavior problems in children and adolescents is not fully understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the mediating effect of resilience and the moderating effect of sleep quality using a moderated mediation model. METHODS 6363 children and adolescents in grades four to nine were surveyed in some areas of Anhui Province, China. Family function, resilience, sleep quality, and emotional behavior problems were measured through a self-administered questionnaire. All data analysis was by performed by SPSS 23.0. RESULTS The results showed that family function was negatively associated with emotional behavior problems (r = -0.307, p < 0.01). Resilience partially mediated the relationship between family function and emotional behavior problems (indirect effect = -0.108, accounted for 38.4 %). Sleep quality moderated the relationship between family function and resilience (β = -0.039, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Resilience and sleep quality respectively played a mediating and moderating effect in the relationship between family function and emotional behavior problems. These findings suggest that we should pay attention to the family function of children and adolescents in time, improve their resilience and sleep quality, so as to effectively reduce the occurrence of emotional behavior problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxia Song
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Taizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No.318 Yongtai Road, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wanying Su
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Department of Hospital Infection Control, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hosptial, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Xianwei Guo
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Qiwei Liang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Children's Medical Center, Anhui Medical University No.39 Wangjiang Road East, Hefei 230051, Anhui, China
| | - Guangbo Qu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Xiuxiu Ding
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Center for Scientific Research and Experiment, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 678 Furong Road, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Mingming Liang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Qirong Qin
- Ma'anshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No.849, Jiangdong Avenue, Ma'anshan 243011, Anhui, China
| | - Mingchun Chen
- Changfeng County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hefei 231199, Anhui, China
| | - Liang Sun
- Fuyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No.19, Zhongnan Avenue, Fuyang 236069, Anhui, China
| | - Yehuan Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Chaohu Hospital, Anhui Medical University, No. 64 Chaohubei Road, Hefei 238006, Anhui, China; Center for Evidence-Based Practice, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
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Geng X, Zhang J, Liu Y, Xu L, Han Y, Potenza MN, Zhang J. Problematic use of the internet among adolescents: A four-wave longitudinal study of trajectories, predictors and outcomes. J Behav Addict 2023; 12:435-447. [PMID: 37294627 PMCID: PMC10316164 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2023.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Problematic use of the internet (PUI) among adolescents has become one of the public problems around the world. Understanding the developmental trajectory of PUI may be beneficial to develop prevention and intervention. The current study aimed to identify the developmental trajectories of PUI among adolescents, considering individual differences over time. And also explored how familial factors contributed to the identified trajectories, and the relationship between PUI changes over time and social, mental health, and academic functioning. Methods A total of 1,149 adolescents (Mage = 15.82, SD = 0.61; 55.27% girls at Wave 1) participated in assessments at four time points, using 6-month assessment intervals. Results Based on a latent class growth model, three trajectories of PUI were identified: Low Decreasing, Moderate Increasing, and High Increasing groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses suggested that inter-parental conflicts and childhood maltreatment served as negative familial predictors for the risk trajectories of PUI (i.e., Moderate Increasing and High Increasing groups). Additionally, adolescents in these two groups displayed more estranged interpersonal relationships, more mental health difficulties, and poorer academic functioning. Discussion and conclusions It is important to consider individual differences in understanding the developmental patterns of PUI among adolescents. Identifying family predictors and the behavioral outcome associated with groups with different developmental trajectories of PUI, which may help to understand better risk factors related to specific developmental patterns of PUI and its adverse correlates. The findings highlight a need to develop more specific effective intervention programs for individuals displaying different problematic developmental trajectories with PUI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jialin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences (School of Public Administration), Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Linxuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yue Han
- Shan Dong Zibo No.17 Middle School, Shandong, China
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jintao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
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Zhang Y, Zhou M, Zhang X. What really matters? Comparing parents’ and adolescents’ perceptions of parental meta-emotion philosophy as predictors of adolescents’ positive mental health. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04346-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
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Wong LP, Alias H, Farid NDN, Yusop SM, Musa Z, Hu Z, Lin Y. Parent-child relationships and psychological distress: survey of parents from low-income families after the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1158698. [PMID: 37213607 PMCID: PMC10196452 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1158698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study aims to shed light on parent-child relationships and the psychological health of parents from low-income families after the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 553 parents of children aged 13-24 years in low-income community settings. The Parent-Child Conflict scale of the Parental Environment Questionnaire (PEQ) was used to measure parent-child conflict. Psychological distress was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale short form (DASS-21). Results The study revealed a low level of parent-child conflict in the overall study population, with a median PEQ of 48.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 36 to 48). Concerning demographics, married parents reported a likelihood of having a higher level of parent-child conflict over 3 times higher than single parents (OR = 3.18 95%, CI 1.30-7.75). More parent-child conflicts were also found in parents aged 60-72 years old who were unemployed, retired, or housewives and from lower-income groups. In regard to lifestyle factors, a higher level of physical activity and having enough sleep were associated with lower levels of parent-child conflict. Only approximately 1% of the participants reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress. Discussion Low risk exists for parent-child conflict and psychological sequelae following the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which could be due to various support measures implemented by the government. Vulnerable parents identified as being at risk of parent-child conflict warrant attention in future advocacy efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ping Wong
- Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Li Ping Wong,
| | - Haridah Alias
- Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nik Daliana Nik Farid
- Centre for Population Health (CePH), Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sofia Md Yusop
- National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), LPPKN Building, Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zuhrah Musa
- National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), LPPKN Building, Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zhijian Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yulan Lin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yulan Lin,
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Baldus C, Franz S, Thomasius R. Help Needs among Parents and Families in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Germany. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192114159. [PMID: 36361040 PMCID: PMC9655952 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by multiple disruptions in the everyday lives of families. Previous research has underlined the negative impact of the pandemic on stress among parents and identified factors related to heightened levels of stress. Yet, several potential stressors have not been taken into account. Moreover, little is known about how general and pandemic-related stressors impacted help-seeking intentions for personal or family problems. METHODS We recruited N = 602 parents and their children (n = 101) for a cross-sectional online survey on parent, child and family well-being, stress and help need after the first wave of COVID-19 infections in Germany. Data were analysed using multinomial regression analyses to predict family help need, taking into account pre-pandemic help-seeking. RESULTS Parents showed high levels of stress, which were associated with pre-pandemic mental health, family functioning, pandemic related worries about finances, household workload and health worries. While 76.2% of families reported no during-pandemic help need, 11.3% reported a help need before and during the pandemic and 12.5% of families without prior help needs reported a new help need during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study underline the need for help service providers to adapt their offers.
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Alonso-Perez E, Gellert P, Kreyenfeld M, O’Sullivan JL. Family Structure and Family Climate in Relation to Health and Socioeconomic Status for Older Adults: A Longitudinal Moderated Mediation Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11840. [PMID: 36142113 PMCID: PMC9517513 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Family characteristics are associated with individuals' health and wellbeing. However, the link between family structure (e.g., operationalized via marital status) and health outcomes is ambiguous, and whether family climate mediates the relationship is unclear. This study uses the Biobehavioral Family Model (BBFM) to investigate the association of older adults' family structure with later health, the mediating role of family climate and mental health and how these links vary by socioeconomic status (SES). Using data from n = 29,457 respondents aged over 50 in Waves 4, 5 and 6 (2011, 2013 and 2015) of the Survey of Health, Retirement and Ageing in Europe (SHARE), the BBFM was applied in a longitudinal mediation analysis of family structure and health, including both indicators of mental and physical health. Structural equation modeling was applied, and a multigroup analysis was performed to test the role of SES in a moderated mediation. Family climate and mental health mediated the relationship between family structure and subsequent physical health. Good levels of family climate were found to be consistently associated with improved mental and physical health. These relationships were significantly moderated by SES, showing that the association of family climate and health was weaker for those in low SES positions. Family climate and mental health should be considered as potential mechanisms linking family structure to later physical health outcomes across time; however, these associations are diminished for those with low SES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Alonso-Perez
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute for Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Gellert
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute for Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michaela Kreyenfeld
- Social Policy Groups, Hertie School, Friedrichstrasse 180, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Julie Lorraine O’Sullivan
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute for Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Gong WJ, Sit SMM, Wong BYM, Wu SYD, Lai AYK, Ho SY, Wang MP, Lam TH. Associations of Face-to-Face and Instant Messaging Family Communication and Their Contents With Family Wellbeing and Personal Happiness Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:780714. [PMID: 35422721 PMCID: PMC9001841 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.780714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Both face-to-face and instant messaging (IM) communication are important for families, but face-to-face communication has reduced amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the use and contents of both communication methods amidst the pandemic, their associations with family wellbeing and personal happiness, and the mediation effects of communication quality in Hong Kong Chinese adults. Methods This population-based online survey enrolled 4,921 respondents in May 2020, who reported (i) any face-to-face or IM family communication when the pandemic was severe; (ii) communication contents being classified as neutral, positive, supportive, and negative; and (iii) communication quality, family wellbeing and personal happiness (score 0-10). Associations of family wellbeing and personal happiness with communication methods and contents (no communication excluded) were examined using linear regressions (β), adjusting for each other, sex, age, socioeconomic status, and the number of cohabitants. Mediating effects of communication quality on these associations were examined. Prevalence estimates were weighted by sex, age, and education of the general population. Interactions of methods and contents were examined. Results Of 4,891 included respondents (female: 52.9%, 45-54 years: 37.7%, ≥65 years: 21.3%), 7.1% reported no communication, 12.7% face-to-face communication only, 26.7% IM only, and 53.4% both methods. More males and those at younger ages, had lower socioeconomic status, or fewer cohabitants showed no family communication or face-to-face only. More respondents reported neutral (83.1-99.3%) than positive (42.1-62.2%), supportive (37.5-54.8%), and negative (10.9-34.5%) contents despite communication methods. Communication quality was higher with both methods than IM only, face-to-face only, and no communication (scores: 6.7 vs. 4.5-6.6, all P ≤ 0.02). Better family wellbeing and personal happiness were associated with using IM only (adjusted βs: 0.37 and 0.48) and both methods (0.37 and 0.42) than face-to-face only, and positive (0.62 and 0.74) or supportive (0.45 and 0.46) contents (all P ≤ 0.001). Communication quality mediated 35.2-93.5% of these associations. Stronger associations between positive contents and family wellbeing showed in both methods and face-to-face only than IM only (P for interaction = 0.006). Conclusions We have first shown that, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, family IM communication and positive and supportive contents may promote family wellbeing and personal happiness. People with no family communication may need assistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jie Gong
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shirley Man Man Sit
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bonny Yee Man Wong
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Socrates Yong Da Wu
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Agnes Yuen Kwan Lai
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sai Yin Ho
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Man Ping Wang
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tai Hing Lam
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Zhang Q, Pan Y, Zhang L, Lu H. Parent-Adolescent Communication and Early Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: The Roles of Gender and Adolescents' Age. Front Psychol 2021; 12:647596. [PMID: 34040561 PMCID: PMC8141856 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.647596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Positive parent-adolescent communication has been found to be negatively related to adolescent depressive symptoms; however, few studies have investigated the moderating effects of adolescent gender and age on this relationship, especially during early adolescence in China. The present study investigated the joint moderating effects of adolescent gender and age on the linkage of father-adolescent and mother-adolescent communication with adolescents' depressive symptoms. A total of 11,455 Chinese junior high school students (M age = 14.15 years, SD = 1.22 years; 49.86% boys; N grade7 = 5712, N grade9 = 5743) completed ad hoc questionnaires of parent-adolescent communication and depressive symptoms. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Results indicated that gender and age jointly moderated the association between parental communication and adolescent depressive symptoms. Specifically, for girls, the negative effects of both father-adolescent and mother-adolescent communication on depressive symptoms were stronger in 9th grade students than in 7th grade students, while for boys, the negative effects were not different between 7th grade students and 9th grade students. These findings suggest that in China, the protective effects of positive parent-adolescent communication on adolescents' depressive symptoms may be most salient among senior-grade girls in junior high school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongwen Zhang
- Research Institute of Social Development, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China
| | - Yangu Pan
- Research Institute of Social Development, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- The School of Law, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hang Lu
- School of Law, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, China
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