The impact of emotional neglect on internet addiction among left-behind adolescents in rural China: A moderated mediation model

IF 3.4 2区心理学 Q1 FAMILY STUDIES

Child Abuse & Neglect Pub Date : 2025-03-03 DOI:10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107341

Heyunhan Jiang , Li Zhong , Vincent Huang , Ruci Zhong

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Urbanization has led to a significant increase in left-behind adolescents in rural China, those aged 11 to 18 who remain in rural areas due to one or both parents migrating to cities for work for more than six months. Without parental support and guidance, those adolescents often face emotional neglect and develop internet addiction, which is associated with low parent-child closeness and high experiential avoidance. However, intentional self-regulation may serve as a protective factor against these adverse effects.

Objective

Grounded in ecological systems theory, the present study proposes a moderated mediation model to examine the mechanisms by which emotional neglect experienced by left-behind adolescents contributes to the development of internet addiction.

Participants and setting

Data was collected from Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province, China, which has many ethnic minorities and faces economic challenges.

Methods

A total of 407 left-behind adolescents between 13 and 16 years of age completed the anonymous self-report paper questionnaire. PROCESS for SPSS was adopted to test hypotheses and answer the research questions.

Results

The results reveal a significant and positive correlation between emotional neglect and internet addiction. Parent-child closeness and experiential avoidance partially mediate this relationship. Additionally, intentional self-regulation functions as a buffering moderator. Higher levels of intentional self-regulation correspond to a reduced positive impact of emotional neglect and experiential avoidance on internet addiction while increasing the negative impact of parent-child closeness on internet addiction.

Conclusions

This study enhances the understanding of internet addiction in left-behind adolescents in rural China and extends the application of ecological systems theory within the Chinese family context. Practical implications for family, school, and society are discussed.

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来源期刊

Child Abuse & Neglect Multiple-

CiteScore

7.40

自引率

10.40%

发文量

397

期刊介绍： Official Publication of the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. Child Abuse & Neglect The International Journal, provides an international, multidisciplinary forum on all aspects of child abuse and neglect, with special emphasis on prevention and treatment; the scope extends further to all those aspects of life which either favor or hinder child development. While contributions will primarily be from the fields of psychology, psychiatry, social work, medicine, nursing, law enforcement, legislature, education, and anthropology, the Journal encourages the concerned lay individual and child-oriented advocate organizations to contribute.