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Miao S, Xu L, Gao S, Bai C, Huang Y, Peng B. Internet addiction and suicidal ideation in Chinese children with migrant parents: Mediating role of anxiety and moderating role of social support. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2024; 248:104427. [PMID: 39053052 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prevalence of internet addiction among Chinese left-behind children, coupled with its potential to exacerbate anxiety and suicidal ideation, has become a critical issue. This study seeks to address the dearth of research on the psychological underpinnings of this phenomenon, particularly the mediating role of anxiety and the moderating effect of social support across different parental migration statuses. Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing targeted interventions and informing policy decisions. METHODS In a cross-sectional study, we administered Young's Internet Addiction Test, alongside scales for anxiety, social support, and suicidal ideation, to 2882 middle school students in China with diverse parental migration backgrounds. Utilizing an online survey approach, we ensured broad participation and participant anonymity. Advanced statistical analyses, including regression models for mediation and moderation effects, were employed to rigorously test our hypotheses. RESULTS Among all participants, a significant positive correlation was observed between Internet addiction and suicidal ideation. Anxiety mediated the relationship between Internet addiction and suicidal ideation across all groups, including those with mother-only migration (Effect = 0.383, 95%CI: 0.107,0.943), father-only migration (Effect = 0.806, 95%CI: 0.487-1.230), both-parent migration(Effect = 0.289, 95%CI: 0.105-0.521), and non-left-behind children (Effect = 0.469, 95%CI: 0.342-0.630). Particularly in families where only the mother was absent, the moderating role of social support was especially prominent (B = 1.174, t = 6.446, p < 0.001 for low social support), underscoring the importance of family structure in the context of Internet addiction. CONCLUSION Internet addiction has both direct and indirect effects on suicidal ideation, with anxiety playing a mediating role in the indirect effects. Social support moderates and alleviates the relationship between Internet addiction and anxiety specifically in the mother-only migration group. Therefore, clarifying these relationships helps in developing and implementing effective interventions to specifically improve the mental health and living conditions of left-behind children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Miao
- Centre for Medical Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, Southwest Hospital of Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lu Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Sihong Gao
- Chongqing Fuling District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 408000, China
| | - Cuiping Bai
- Xiushan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing 409900, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing 400021, China.
| | - Bin Peng
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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Miao S, Xu L, Gao S, Bai C, Huang Y, Peng B. The association between anxiety and internet addiction among left-behind secondary school students: the moderating effect of social support and family types. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:406. [PMID: 38811914 PMCID: PMC11138066 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05855-4] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The left-behind children (LBC), children and adolescents aged 0-18 whose parents have migrated for economic purposes for extended periods exceeding three months, present a unique social concern. These children remain in their place of household registration, often under the guardianship of relatives, while receiving compulsory education. LBC with growing Internet addiction (IA) have made it urgent to take a close look at the mechanisms and effective interventions for them. Anxiety has been proven to be correlated with IA in adolescents; however, the mechanisms of addiction in this population are less well-fully grasped. Based on the current theories and empirical results, the study examined whether and how social support (SS) and family types moderated the associations between anxiety and IA among left-behind secondary students. METHODS Stratified cluster sampling survey. A questionnaire was administered to 5290 secondary school children (2553 classified as left-behind) to explore the relationships between anxiety, IA, left-behind types, family types, and social support. This cross-sectional study employed a stratified cluster sampling survey of students in the ethnic areas of southeast Chongqing. The study sought to appraise the relationships between anxiety and IA in different types of left-behind children and to assess the potential moderating effect of SS on the relationship among the population and its family types differences. RESULTS The relationship between anxiety and IA was moderated significantly by social support and family types. Notably, the impact of social support on the moderating effect between IA and anxiety varied among students from both family types. For students from families where both parents had migrated, social support weakened the association between IA and anxiety. Conversely, for students from single-parent families where the parent had migrated, social support seemed to strengthen the relationships between these two issues. CONCLUSIONS The moderating effects of SS on the relationship between anxiety and IA differs based on family type among various groups of left-behind secondary students. Gaining insights into the IA mechanisms can guide the development of targeted intervention strategies aimed at minimizing IA among diverse groups of left-behind students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Miao
- Centre for Medical Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, Southwest Hospital of Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lu Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Sihong Gao
- Chongqing Fuling District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, 408000, China
| | - Cuiping Bai
- Xiushan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, 409900, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, 400021, China.
| | - Bin Peng
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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Shang R, Pang H, Jiang J, Ji Y, Liu Q, Zhang M, Yang R, Li S, Li Y, Liu Q. Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms among Chinese rural left-behind adolescents: Mediating roles of resilience and friendship quality. Child Care Health Dev 2024; 50:e13160. [PMID: 37594198 DOI: 10.1111/cch.13160] [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: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rural left-behind adolescents are more vulnerable to Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms due to the lack of family support and parental supervision. This study was the first to investigate the longitudinal relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms and to examine the mediating roles of resilience and friendship quality in rural left-behind adolescents. METHODS Included in this study, which was from a longitudinal study conducted five times over 2 years, were 1001 rural left-behind adolescents. The internationally used scales for depressive and anxious symptoms, Internet addiction, resilience and friendship quality were administered. A structural equation model was used for analysis. RESULTS The prevalence of Internet addiction, depressive and anxious symptoms among rural left-behind adolescents were 17.7%, 35.8% and 27.6%, respectively. Internet addiction predicted the later depressive and anxious symptoms (β = 0.200, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.116-0.274 and β = 0.263, 95% CI: 0.188-0.330). Resilience acted as an independent mediator in the relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms (β = 0.037 and 0.034, P < 0.01). Resilience and friendship quality played a chain-mediating role on the longitudinal relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms (β = 0.011 and 0.010, P < 0.001). The mediating effects accounted for 24.0% and 16.7% of the total effects, respectively. CONCLUSION Resilience and friendship quality play an independent or chain-mediating role in longitudinal relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms. The findings inform targeted intervention strategies to improve the mental health of left-behind adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhe Shang
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Medicine, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Research Center for Palliative Care, West China-PUMC C.C. Chen Institute of Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Huasheng Pang
- Tibet Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lhasa, Tibet, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianjun Jiang
- Department of Palliative Care, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Research Center for Palliative Care, West China-PUMC C.C. Chen Institute of Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyi Ji
- Nosocomial Infection Management Department, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qijiao Liu
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Medicine, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Research Center for Palliative Care, West China-PUMC C.C. Chen Institute of Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Medicine, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Research Center for Palliative Care, West China-PUMC C.C. Chen Institute of Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruixi Yang
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Medicine, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Research Center for Palliative Care, West China-PUMC C.C. Chen Institute of Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiying Li
- Department of Sociology and Psychology, School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuchen Li
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiaolan Liu
- Department of Health Behavior and Social Medicine, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Research Center for Palliative Care, West China-PUMC C.C. Chen Institute of Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
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Liu N, Li X, Ding X, Liu H, Zhang X. Mediating roles of perceived social support and sense of security in the relationship between negative life events and life satisfaction among left-behind children: A cross-sectional study. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1100677. [PMID: 36710749 PMCID: PMC9880476 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1100677] [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: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Life satisfaction is closely related to the quality of life. Previous studies showed that left-behind children have low life satisfaction levels due to their separation from their parents. Therefore, it is significant to explore the risk factors and protective factors of left-behind children's life satisfaction to improve their life quality. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the mediating roles of perceived social support and sense of security in the relationship between negative life events and life satisfaction among left-behind children. Methods A survey was conducted on 281 left-behind children in rural Shandong, China using negative life events, perceived social support, a sense of security, and life satisfaction scales. Results Negative life events had a negative impact on life satisfaction (β = -0.34, p = 0.001). In addition, not only does social support mediate between negative life events and life satisfaction (β = -0.21, p = 0.001), but also in between, security (β = -0.05, p = 0.030). Moreover, social support and security act as a chain intermediary between negative life events and life satisfaction (β = -0.03, p = 0.010), with an indirect effect share of 4.76%. Conclusion Negative life events could directly or indirectly affect the life satisfaction of left-behind children through the chain-mediating effects of perceived social support or the sense of security alone. Perceived social support and the sense of security are two important targets for further improving the life satisfaction of LBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Liu
- School of Nursing, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Xinzheng Li
- School of Public Health and Administration, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Xuemei Ding
- School of Nursing, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- School of Public Health and Administration, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- School of Nursing, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China,*Correspondence: Xiaoli Zhang, ✉
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Du K, Yang T, Zhao J, Guan H. The impact of parental migration on left-behind children's vision health in rural China. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2. [PMID: 36593478 PMCID: PMC9809040 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14962-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parental migration is an important factor affecting left-behind children's health. However, few studies have addressed the effect of parental migration on children's vision health in China. To fill the gap, this study aimed to assess the impact of parental migration on left-behind children's vision health and to explore the possible mechanisms of the effect. METHODS Data were obtained from the baseline survey of the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS), which included over 10,000 junior high school students. This study used myopia, the most common vision problem among junior high school students, and tried to analyze whether myopia was corrected with eyeglasses as indicator variables of vision health. The impact of parental migration on vision health was assessed using an instrumental variables approach. RESULTS The results show that parental migration reduced the likelihood of myopia in left-behind children and decreased the possibility of myopic left-behind children being corrected. This result passed a series of robustness tests. The mechanism analysis indicated that compared to non-left-behind children, left-behind children spent more time on outdoor activities and less time on after-school classes, reducing their risk of being myopic. Further, because left-behind children live apart from their parents, their myopia problem is more difficult for parents to notice, and left-behind children are less likely to inform their parents of their myopia than non-left-behind children actively. This helps to explain why left-behind children have a lower correction rate with eyeglasses. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that parental migration, while not increasing the prevalence of myopia in left-behind children, has led to inequity in myopic left-behind children's correction. Given the severe consequences of uncorrected myopia, action is required to enhance the correction rate of myopic left-behind children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Du
- grid.464491.a0000 0004 1755 0877School of Economics, Xi’an University of Finance and Economics, Xi’an, China
| | - Tianli Yang
- grid.24539.390000 0004 0368 8103School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Zhao
- grid.464491.a0000 0004 1755 0877School of Marxism, Xi’an University of Finance and Economics, Xi’an, China
| | - Hongyu Guan
- grid.412498.20000 0004 1759 8395Center for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China
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