Psychological Development and Education ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2): 254-263.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2026.02.11

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The Relationship between Childhood Abuse and Subjective Well-being of Junior High School Students: The Longitudinal Mediating Role of Peer Attachment

LI Yulin1, WU Dehua2, QING Yicheng2, LI Dan2, YIN Huazhan2   

  1. 1. College of Business Administration, Hunan University of Finance and Economics, Changsha 410205;
    2. School of Educational Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081
  • Published:2026-03-14

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Abstract: This study aims to examine the developmental trajectories of childhood abuse, peer attachment, and subjective well-being among junior high school students, and further explore the longitudinal mediating role of peer attachment. A longitudinal survey was conducted over one year, involving three waves of self-reported questionnaires completed by 507 junior high school students in Hunan Province. Latent growth modeling was used for analysis. The results from the latent growth model indicated that childhood abuse significantly negatively predicted the initial level of peer attachment among junior high school students and positively predicted the rate of growth in peer attachment over time. Childhood abuse also negatively predicted the initial level of subjective well-being but had no significant impact on its growth rate. Structural equation modeling revealed that peer attachment partially mediated the relationship between childhood abuse, including its various dimensions (emotional abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect), and subjective well-being. This suggests that childhood abuse influences the initial level of subjective well-being through peer attachment. These findings provide practical implications for understanding critical periods in adolescent psychological development and promoting mental health.

Key words: junior high school students, childhood abuse, subjective well-being, peer attachment

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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