Psychological Development and Education ›› 2021, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (3): 429-438.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2021.03.14

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The Relationship of Parent-child Separation, Peer Victimization and Depression in Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study

CHEN Zixun, FENG Yingxue, SONG Wenli, LIU Xia   

  1. Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875
  • Published:2021-05-18

Abstract: Using a longitudinal design, the current study aimed to investigate the associations among early parent-child separation, later peer victimization and depression of adolescents, and examine whether there existed gender differences. A total sample of 1094 adolescents were recruited from Guizhou province. Two waves of data collections were conducted with an interval of half a year. Results showed that:(1) Early parent-child separation could not only significantly and positively predict peer victimization and depression at wave 1, but also indirectly predict peer victimization and depression at wave 2 through the mediating roles of peer victimization and depression at wave 1;(2) There were significant gender differences among the associations among parent-child separation, peer victimization and depression. As for females, early parent-child separation could not only significantly increase the depression at wave 1, but also indirectly affect peer victimization at wave 2 through depression at wave 1. In addition, early parent-child separation could marginally predict peer victimization at wave 1. As for males, parent-child separation only predicted peer victimization at wave 1, while it had no significant effects on depression at wave 1 and variables at wave 2; (3) Regardless of the effects of parent-child separation, there was a bidirectional relationship between peer victimization and depression. Our investigation suggested that early parent-child separation experience would lead to higher peer victimization and depression in adolescents, especially in the girl group. These findings had certain practical implications for educators in understanding and protecting mental health of young people with parent-child separation.

Key words: parent-child separation, peer victimization, depression, adolescents, longitudinal study

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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