Ren W, Liang Z. Neighborhood deprivation and depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents: Mediated by parenting styles and moderated by relative family status.
J Affect Disord 2023;
341:17-25. [PMID:
37633523 DOI:
10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.109]
[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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Previous research has shown that neighborhood and family have a crucial impact on adolescent mental health. However, limited research has been conducted on the intersection between neighborhood and family and the mechanisms behind its influence. This study investigates the direct and indirect associations between neighborhood deprivation and adolescent depressive symptoms through parental responsiveness and demandingness. The heterogeneity of neighborhood effects, varying across different relative family statuses, is also discussed.
METHODS
Using a sample (n = 6775) from the two waves of the China Education Panel Survey, this study used moderated mediation analysis to analyze simultaneously the mediation roles of parental responsiveness and demandingness and the moderating effect of relative family status.
RESULTS
Neighborhood deprivation (W1) was positively associated with adolescent depressive symptoms (W2). Parental responsiveness (W2) rather than demandingness (W2) partially mediated the relationship between neighborhood deprivation and adolescent depression. Additionally, relative family status moderated the direct relationship between neighborhood deprivation and depression and the indirect relationship through parental responsiveness.
LIMITATIONS
First, Neighborhood deprivation in this study was self-reported. Second, relative family status was a single-item measure. Third, only family and neighborhood environments were discussed in this study. Finally, long-term changes in the mental health of adolescents in poor neighborhoods could not be captured in this study.
CONCLUSIONS
The results highlight that neighborhood deprivation and relative family status can influence adolescent mental health individually and intersectively. This study also contributes to a more nuanced understanding of parenting styles in the Chinese context.
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