Behavioral development in the Shadow of child Neglect: The roles of resilience and peer rejection

Abstract

Child neglect, a pervasive issue impacting numerous children globally, directly correlates with poorer behavioral outcomes. Drawing on data from 1043 middle and high school students in Jiangsu Province, this study investigates the impact of child neglect on the behavioral development of children in rural China. The stress process model was employed to examine the mediating roles of resilience and peer rejection, with gender as a moderator. Findings reveal that child neglect directly correlates with poorer behavioral development, with resilience and peer rejection serving as significant mediators in this relationship. The analysis further reveals that the effect of resilience on behavioral development is moderated by gender, being more pronounced in boys. By integrating the stress process model, this study enriches the theoretical discourse on child neglect and provides empirical evidence from a neglected demographic, emphasizing the need for nuanced, gender-specific policy and practice interventions. These insights underscore the necessity for targeted interventions that consider the unique challenges posed by child neglect, advocating for strategies that enhance resilience and effectively manage peer relationships.