Search

Background: Substance use remains a public health threat with serious effects. It may be predicted by complex factors ranging from family to psychosocial disparities. We examined the magnitude of substance use and its influence on families among adolescents from Gitagata Rehabilitation Center. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 57 adolescents was conducted. Results: Our findings revealed that the proportion of substance users was higher (42 of 57 teens) than the proportion of non-substance users. Socio-demographic influences such as occupation, age and residence significantly increased the odds of substance use at p <.05. Adolescents who experienced domestic violence were more likely to be substance users [OR = 3.56; 95%CI (1.12–11.3)] than those who did not experience domestic violence. Children who were not neglected by their families were less likely to become substance users than neglected children [OR = 0.05; 95% CI (0.01–0.29)]. Adolescents from low-functioning families were more likely to be substance users [OR = 5.18; 95% CI (1.58–16.95)] than those from proper-functioning families. Those who were not properly monitored by their parents were more likely to use drugs [OR = 5.62; 95% CI (2.52–12.5)]. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary team is required to step up efforts to inform parents about their responsibility in lowering the likelihood that their children may use drugs by enhancing parental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: (1) To investigate the relationship between college students' parent–child attachment, external expression of anger, and bullying behavior; (2) To explore the mediating role of external expression of anger between parent–child attachment and bullying behavior. Methods: The Parent–Child Attachment Scale, State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory, and Bullying Participation Behavior Questionnaire were administered to 306 college students. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 for common method bias tests, descriptive analysis, and correlation analysis. The mediation model was tested using the PROCESS macro program. Results: Parent–child attachment was significantly negatively correlated with external expression of anger and bullying behavior, while external expression of anger was positively correlated with bullying behavior. Additionally, the external expression of anger partially mediated the impact of parent–child attachment on bullying behavior. Conclusion: This study clarifies the relationship between parent–child attachment, external expression of anger, and bullying, emphasizing the indirect effect of parent–child attachment on individual bullying behavior through the external expression of anger. It provides data support for the further development of innovative methods to effectively reduce bullying behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mother–child attachment is influenced by various factors, particularly social norms. It's crucial to consider the impact of cultural contexts and societal expectations on parent-child attachment. Objective: The study investigated the influence of counseling based on SATIR's theory on parent-child attachment in Iranian adolescent mothers. Methods: The study adopts a before-after design. It involves 33 adolescent mothers and their husbands. They received 6 sessions of counseling based on SATIR's approach. Data were collected using the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (MPAS) in the pretest, post-test, and 6 weeks after the end of the counseling sessions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA at a 95% confidence level. Results: The mean total score of the MPAS was 68.75 ± 7.7 in the pretest, 75.17 ± 6.44 in the post-test, and 77.75 ± 6.12 in the follow-up period which has increased over time (p = 0.001). The repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated the effectiveness of the intervention in enhancing overall attachment scores (59%) and the subscales of 'quality of attachment' by 56%, 'absence of hostility' by 21%, and 'pleasure in interaction' by 27%. Conclusion: The study shows that using the SATIR approach effectively improves mother-child attachment in adolescent mothers after giving birth. Also, involving spouses in postpartum counseling programs seems to be a helpful strategy, indicating it should be taken into account by professionals in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A history of maltreatment can increase risk for dating violence (DV) and risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among adolescents. Secure parent-child attachment may reduce this risk, yet few studies have examined this as a protective factor. This study differentiated developmentally appropriate, exploratory sexual behaviours from RSB and examined whether maltreatment experiences and parent-child attachment in adolescence predicted DV and RSB reported five years later in a high-risk sample. Participants were 179 adolescents (46% girls; Mage = 15.34, range = 12–18 years) at risk for aggressive and antisocial behaviour. Adolescents reported their maltreatment histories and attachment to their parents at Time 1; five years later, at Time 2, they reported their experiences with DV perpetration and victimization and engagement in RSB. Both bivariate correlations and structural analyses demonstrated that maltreatment was associated with DV perpetration and victimization but not RSB, and attachment avoidance was associated with fewer RSB but not DV. Attachment anxiety was associated with physical DV perpetration and greater condom use, but only at the correlational level; attachment anxiety was not associated with DV or RSB in the structural model. There were no significant interaction effects. Findings highlight the importance of considering key developmental factors such as maltreatment and parent-child attachment in understanding adolescent risk for DV and RSB, and may inform future research that accounts for contextual factors such as motivation for violence perpetration and contraceptive use with multiple and/or casual sex partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic adjustment is an important task for students, traditionally encompassing three major constructs: academic motivation (e.g., academic self-efficacy), engagement (e.g., persistence with schoolwork), and achievement (e.g., grade point average). Although theoretical links between parent–child attachment and academic adjustment have been proposed, comprehensive meta-analyses investigating this relationship are lacking. To achieve a more thorough understanding, we incorporated data from children and adolescents, considering both categorical and continuous attachment measures. Through a series of multilevel meta-analyses, we examined the magnitude of the relationship between parent–child attachment and academic achievement, motivation, and engagement. We retrieved 178 effect sizes from 45 studies assessing 47 independent samples (53,619 students) through a systematic literature search. The key findings are as follows: attachment security was positively related to academic achievement (r =.132), while attachment insecurity, whether avoidant (r = −.154) or anxious (r = −.081) attachment, was negatively associated with academic achievement. Moreover, attachment security was positively related to motivation (r =.161) and engagement (r =.229). Notably, the type of attachment measures moderated the association between attachment security and academic achievement. In addition, gender was found to moderate the association between attachment security and academic motivation. Our findings are crucial for understanding the association between parent–child attachment and academic adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose(1) To investigate the relationship between college students’ parent–child attachment, external expression of anger, and bullying behavior; (2) To explore the mediating role of external expression of anger between parent–child attachment and bullying behavior.MethodsThe Parent–Child Attachment Scale, State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory, and Bullying Participation Behavior Questionnaire were administered to 306 college students. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 for common method bias tests, descriptive analysis, and correlation analysis. The mediation model was tested using the PROCESS macro program.ResultsParent–child attachment was significantly negatively correlated with external expression of anger and bullying behavior, while external expression of anger was positively correlated with bullying behavior. Additionally, the external expression of anger partially mediated the impact of parent–child attachment on bullying behavior.ConclusionThis study clarifies the relationship between parent–child attachment, external expression of anger, and bullying, emphasizing the indirect effect of parent–child attachment on individual bullying behavior through the external expression of anger. It provides data support for the further development of innovative methods to effectively reduce bullying behavior.

Companion animals, including pet dogs, can be sources of support and potentially contribute to children’s competence and adjustment. The goal of this paper is to examine whether children’s pet dog relationships are related to their competence and adjustment after accounting for relationships with parents and friends and demographic factors. We distinguished three qualities of child-pet dog relationships – positive pet relationship qualities, friction, and pets as substitutes for people – and examined them in relation to children’s thriving, school academic performance, and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. The sample included 115 children (M age = 10.93, 57 girls and 58 boys) who completed questionnaires about the quality of their relationship with a pet dog, the positive and negative qualities of a best friendship, and the security of attachments to parents. To measure child competence, children reported their thriving and parents reported children’s school academic performance. To measure adjustment, parents and teachers reported child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Positive pet relationship qualities were related to a higher competence. Friction and pets as substitutes were related to lower competence and adjustment, although some findings varied by the reporter or after controlling for other factors. Pet relationship quality uniquely contributed to some child outcomes, although moderation analyses did not provide any evidence that pet dog relationships compensate for low-quality friendships or insecure parental attachments. Collectively, the findings suggest that relationships with pets may augment but not override the impact of relationships with parents and friends.

Objective: To explore the relationship between suicidal ideation and parent-child attachment in college students, and the roles of peer attachment and meaning in life. Methods: Totally 1137 college students were selected. The Positive and Negative Suicidal Ideation (PANSI) was used to evaluate suicidal ideation, Revised Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA-R) was used to evaluate parent-child attachment and peer attachment, and Meaning in Life Questionnaire(MLQ) was used to evaluate meaning in life. Results: The scores of father-child attachment, mother-child attachment, peer attachment, presence of meaning and seeking for meaning were negatively correlation with the scores of suicidal ideation (r=-0.510. 19, Ps <0.001). The mediating effects of peer attachment and presence of meaning and the chain mediating effects were 0.08, -0.16 and -0.04, respectively, accounting for 13.83%, 25.83% and 6. 17% of the total effects. Conclusion: Parent-child attachment may be associated with suicidal ideation in college students, and suicidal ideation could be reduced by improving the quality of peer relationship and enhancing the presence of meaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent–Child Attachment (PCA) and Hostile Attribution Bias (HAB) are closely related to aggression, but findings regarding their relationships are inconsistent. There is a lack of understanding of the underlying mechanism between PCA and aggression. This review employed meta-analysis approaches to investigate the associations between PCA and aggression, as well as between HAB and aggression, and the mechanism for the PCA–aggression association. An article search was conducted in CNKI, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. Totally, 118 studies involving general populations and those at high risk for aggression were included. Results revealed negative associations between Parent–Child Attachment Security (PCAS) and aggression (ρ = −.267, p <.001) and positive associations between Parent–Child Attachment Insecurity (PCAI) and aggression (ρ =.240, p <.05). HAB and aggression were found to be positively associated (ρ =.303, p <.001). As for the PCAS–aggression association, a larger effect size was found in females than in males. The HAB–reactive aggression association was stronger than the HAB–proactive aggression association. In Eastern culture, the association between HAB and aggression was stronger than in Western culture. HAB mediated the association between PCAS and aggression. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the occurrence and development of aggression by establishing an association between attachment theory and the social information processing model. The practical implications include interventions targeting cultivating PCAS and alleviating HAB, which might serve as effective ways to reduce aggression, yet aggression type, gender, and cultural background should be taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the role of parent-child attachment and peer attachment on adolescent aggressive behavior. This research is quantitative research. The study population was private high school students in East Mesuji. Using the Krejcie and Morgan formula, a sample of 113 students was selected. Data were collected with three scales, namely the parent-child attachment scale, peer attachment, and aggressive behavior. Subject responses were analyzed using SPSS version 25 and analyzed with multiple linear regression models, stimulant testing (F test) resulted in a significance value of 0.000 (<0.05). Thus, the results of this study indicate that parent-child attachment and peer attachment together have a very significant influence on adolescent aggressive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have documented that parent‒child attachment is linked to the mental health of college students. However, little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relation. Based on attachment theory, this study examined whether security mediates the relationship between parent‒child attachment and mental health among college students and whether problematic smartphone use moderates the second half of the mediation process. In total, 77,211 Chinese students (mean age = 20.09 years, SD = 1.37) were recruited from multiple universities. These students provided self-reported data on demographic variables, parent‒child attachment, security, problematic smartphone use, depression, anxiety and resilience. After controlling for sex, age, paternal education level, maternal education level and family economic status, mediation analysis indicated that security mediates the association between parent‒child attachment and mental health among college students. Moderated mediation analysis further demonstrated that the association between security and mental health is moderated by problematic smartphone use. Specifically, the relationship between security and mental health among college students was stronger for those with highly problematic smartphone use. The current study highlights the significance of identifying the mechanisms that moderate the mediated paths between parent‒child attachment and mental health and has important implications for the prevention and intervention of mental health problems among college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

\nKEY FINDINGSParent–child psychotherapy (PIP) is recommended for maltreated children. This review provides a synthesis of PIP outcomes for parents, children, and their relationship. Eight databases were searched with 16 studies fitting the inclusion criteria. Most studies found improvements in parental mental health. Mixed results were obtained for child development and the attachment relationship. Those with >4 previous traumas benefited more from PIP than those in comparison groups. Clinical implications include the importance of screening for trauma to support access to treatment. Treatment fidelity, small samples, and confounding variables may limit the reliability and validity of results. Further research is needed. Specifically, those with poor-predicted prognosis and >4 previous traumas benefited more from PIP than those in comparison groups, which highlights the importance of screening for complex trauma histories at the point of assessment.Most studies found improvements in parental mental health following PIP intervention, illustrating the efficacy of PIP for parental mental health.Improvements in adult mental health suggest the importance of ensuring that such clients have access to trauma-informed therapies.Specifically, those with poor-predicted prognosis and >4 previous traumas benefited more from PIP than those in comparison groups, which highlights the importance of screening for complex trauma histories at the point of assessment.Most studies found improvements in parental mental health following PIP intervention, illustrating the efficacy of PIP for parental mental health.Improvements in adult mental health suggest the importance of ensuring that such clients have access to trauma-informed therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is a growing problem among children. Insecure attachment has been associated with PIU and emotion dysregulation. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that maladaptive Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies (CERS), such as Self-blame, Rumination, Catastrophizing and Other-blame, lead to PIU, nevertheless, the mediating role of CERS between attachment and PIU has not been explored. A sample of 641 children (M = 10.15; SD =.89) participated in the study. The findings showed that there were significant differences between problematic and non-problematic users in terms of secure attachment and emotion dysregulation. Results show a negative association between attachment security and PIU and a negative association between attachment and maladaptive CERS, whilst maladaptive CERS were positively related with PIU. Finally, maladaptive CERS, particularly Rumination, were found to mediate the relationship between attachment security and PIU. However, Catastrophizing and Other Blame partially mediated the relationship between maternal attachment, but not the relationship between Father attachment and PIU. Limitations and implications are discussed, motivating the promotion of prevention and intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyberbullying is a common problem behavior among adolescents, and parental conflict has a significant influence on it. However, the mechanisms underlying this relation is largely unclear. The current study aimed to examine the potential mediating roles of parent-child attachment and core self-evaluation in this relationship. In total, 1,245 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 14.48, SDage = 1.58, 560 boys and 685 girls) completed a questionnaire survey on parental conflict, parent-child attachment, core self-evaluation, and cyberbullying. Findings showed a positive correlation between parental conflict and adolescent cyberbullying. Additionally, parent-child attachment and core self-evaluation played mediating roles in this relationship, both in parallel as well as sequentially. These findings provide new evidence on how parental conflict affects adolescent cyberbullying and deepened our understanding of the mediating roles of parent-child attachment and core self-evaluation in this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionAdolescent suicide is a prevalent issue globally, with various factors contributing to this phenomenon. This study aimed to investigate these factors and their interrelationships to better understand the causes of adolescent suicide and provide evidence for its prevention.MethodsThis study conducted among middle school students in Liaoning Province, China, from April to May 2016, A cross-sectional survey was administered to 1,028 students aged 10–19, using instruments such as the Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale (CPIC), and revised version of Inventory of Parent Attachment (IPPA-R).ResultBinary logistic regression analysis revealed that adolescents aged 15–19, adolescents with strong perceptions of parental conflict were at high risk of suicide intention. Adolescents living in rural areas, adolescents with high mother-child attachment, adolescents with high father-child attachment were at low risk of suicide intention. Furthermore, parent-child attachment played a mediating role between two dimensions of parental conflict perception (resolved situations and response effect) and suicide intention.DiscussionThe study concludes that adolescents living in urban areas, older adolescents, adolescents with a high level of parental conflict intensity, and those with low levels of parent-child attachment are at high risk of suicide intention. parent-child attachment played a mediating role between two dimensions of parental conflict perception (resolved situations and response effect) and suicide intention. Interventions aimed at reducing family conflicts and improving parent-child relationships are recommended to decrease the incidence of adolescent suicide.

This study focused on the nuanced phenomenon of gendered parenting by exploring how maternal son preference is associated with depressive symptoms among Chinese early adolescents. Focusing on 1093 junior high school students from a relatively affluent city in Western China, this study examined the mediating roles of mother–child attachment and father–child attachment as well as the moderating role of school connectedness in the relationship between maternal son preference and depressive symptoms. The results revealed a noteworthy positive correlation between maternal son preference and depressive symptoms among female adolescents, with no significant association observed in males. In addition, mother–child attachment and father–child attachment mediated the relationship between maternal son preference and girls' depressive symptoms, supporting the "spillover effect" and "crossover effect". Moreover, a moderation effect analysis indicated that a higher level of school connectedness can buffer the effect of maternal son preference on girls' depressive symptoms, while a lower level of school connectedness can enhance the effect of maternal son preference on girls' depressive symptoms. In addition, maternal son preference was negatively correlated with boys' depressive symptoms in relation to high school connectedness. These insights help enhance people's understanding of gendered parenting, emphasizing the enduring necessity of addressing son preference within the broader context of promoting gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As families increase their use of mobile touch screen devices (smartphones and tablet computers), there is potential for this use to influence parent-child interactions required to form a secure attachment during infancy, and thus future child developmental outcomes. Thirty families of infants (aged 9–15 months) were interviewed to explore how parents and infants use these devices, and how device use influenced parents' thoughts, feelings and behaviours towards their infant and other family interactions. Two-thirds of infants were routinely involved in family video calls and one-third used devices for other purposes. Parent and/or child device use served to both enhance connection and increase distraction between parents and infants and between other family members. Mechanisms for these influences are discussed. The findings highlight a new opportunity for how hardware and software should be designed and used to maximise benefits and reduce detriments of device use to optimise parent-infant attachment and child development. Practitioner Summary: Many families with infants regularly use smartphones and tablet computers. This qualitative study found that how devices were used either enhanced or disrupted feelings of parent-infant attachment. Practitioners should be aware of the potential beneficial and detrimental impacts of device use among families given implications for attachment and future child development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prosocial behavior is a favorable social adaptive behavior that enhances the growth of children and adolescents. It is highly essential to cultivate children's and adolescents' prosocial behavior to develop sound personalities and social harmony. Previous studies have demonstrated that parent–child attachment is related to the formation and development of prosocial behavior. Using a longitudinal design across three time points, this research aimed to examine the mediating effect of self-control and the moderating effect of the teacher-student relationship on the relationship between parent–child attachment and prosocial behavior. A final sample of 462 Chinese students (51.5% male, M = 10.90 years) participated in the survey and completed the anonymous questionnaires including questions on parent–child attachment, self-control, prosocial behavior, and teacher-student relationship. The results indicated that parent–child attachment at Wave 1 positively predicted prosocial behavior at Wave 3. Mediation analysis showed that self-control at Wave 2 played a mediating role between parent–child attachment at Wave 1 and prosocial behavior at Wave 3. Moderated mediation analysis revealed that the teacher-student relationship at Wave 1 significantly moderated the relationship between parent–child attachment at Wave 1 and self-control at Wave 2. When the teacher-student relationship was at a higher level, parent–child attachment had a stronger effect on self-control. These results suggest that positive parent–child attachment promotes prosocial behavior in children and adolescents by improving self-control. In addition, high-quality teacher-student relationships promote the positive effect of parent–child attachment on self-control. This study reveals the influence of the internal psychological mechanism of parent–child attachment on prosocial behavior, which has valuable references for the cultivation of prosocial behavior in children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The parent–child attachment has a significant impact on adolescents’ mental health. However, the influence of psychological quality and coping styles on this connection remains unknown. This study examined the relationship between parent–child attachment and adolescent mental health, by exploring the mediating role of psychological quality and the moderating role of coping styles. Methods: A total of 633 young adolescents participated in this study after signing informed consent. They anonymously completed questionnaires including the Parent and Peer Attachment Scale (Parent Attachment Section), the Coping Styles Inventory for Middle School Students, the Brief Version of the Psychological Quality Inventory for Middle School Students, and the Chinese Middle School Students’Psychological Quality Inventory. After controlling for gender, grade, left-behind category, only-child status, and family structure. Results: The moderated mediation model yielded the following findings: (a) parent–child attachment significantly and positively predicted adolescents’mental health; (b) psychological quality partially mediated the relationship between parent–child attachment and adolescents’ mental health; (c) the association between psychological quality and mental health was moderated by task-focused coping. Discussion: This moderation effect was more substantial for students with low task-focused coping behaviors, which aligns with the “exclusionary hypothesis” model. Therefore, our results indicate that parent–child attachment indirectly impacts mental health, influenced by internal and external factors. These findings carry significant implications for safeguarding and promoting adolescents’ mental well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has found a significant association between parent-child attachment and gratitude, while the directionality of this association and its potential mechanisms remain unclear. This study examined the longitudinal associations between parent-child attachment, gratitude, and perceived parental communal strength, which is adolescents' perception of their parents' willingness to make sacrifices to provide care and meet their needs. A total of 1348 adolescents and one of their parents (Mage = 12.96, SD = 0.70 years; 51.3% girls) participated in this three-wave study, with a six-month lag. The results of the cross-lagged panel models showed that attachment anxiety and avoidance negatively predicted adolescents' gratitude after six months. Perceived parental communal strength mediated the longitudinal effects of attachment anxiety and avoidance on gratitude. However, the impact of gratitude on perceived parental communal strength and parent-child attachment was non-significant. The findings suggest that adolescents with insecure parent-child attachment have negative perceptions of their parents, which could contribute to their lack of gratitude. Adolescents' negative perceptions of their parents are crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying the lack of gratitude observed in adolescents with insecure parent-child attachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic, and mental health of children and parents are affected by confinement in home. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 is still global pandemic currently, it is important to examine how the changes of children’s behaviors and parent–child relationship affect parental anxiety during this difficult time. Methods A cross-sectional online investigation was conducted with snowball sampling to collect the information about the behavioral changes of children and the anxiety of parents from February 23 to March 3, 2020. 642 participants who had children aged 3–17 years included in this study. Information about behavioral change of children was reported by parents with a questionnaire, parental anxiety was assessed with Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS, Chinese Version). Results Among children’s behaviors, decreased time of outdoor activity was associated with a lower odds of parental anxiety, with an adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 0.31 (95% CI, 0.11–0.87). Parents’ satisfaction with children's behaviors was associated with a lower odds of parental anxiety (ORs, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.05–0.35). In addition, we observed a significant association of worse behavioral performance and worse family relationship with anxiety among parents with the adjusted ORs of 2.78 (95% CI, 1.35–5.73), and 2.67 (95% CI, 1.13–6.32), respectively. Conclusion Under COVID-19 outbreak in China, changes in children’s behavioral and family relationship were associated with parental anxiety. Our finding suggested that family mental health support and promotion should consider the children’s behavioral regulation and parent–child relationship as essential components.

IntroductionThe parent–child attachment has a significant impact on adolescents’ mental health. However, the influence of psychological quality and coping styles on this connection remains unknown. This study examined the relationship between parent–child attachment and adolescent mental health, by exploring the mediating role of psychological quality and the moderating role of coping styles.MethodsA total of 633 young adolescents participated in this study after signing informed consent. They anonymously completed questionnaires including the Parent and Peer Attachment Scale (Parent Attachment Section), the Coping Styles Inventory for Middle School Students, the Brief Version of the Psychological Quality Inventory for Middle School Students, and the Chinese Middle School Students’Psychological Quality Inventory. After controlling for gender, grade, left-behind category, only-child status, and family structure.ResultsThe moderated mediation model yielded the following findings: (a) parent–child attachment significantly and positively predicted adolescents’mental health; (b) psychological quality partially mediated the relationship between parent–child attachment and adolescents’ mental health; (c) the association between psychological quality and mental health was moderated by task-focused coping.DiscussionThis moderation effect was more substantial for students with low task-focused coping behaviors, which aligns with the “exclusionary hypothesis” model. Therefore, our results indicate that parent–child attachment indirectly impacts mental health, influenced by internal and external factors. These findings carry significant implications for safeguarding and promoting adolescents’ mental well-being.

Nowadays, suicide (especially adolescents' suicide) has been an increasingly prominent social problem worldwide; suicide ideation, as an important predictor, has been the focus of relevant studies and practices. Against this background, the present study aimed to examine the association between perceived family financial stress and adolescents' suicidal ideation, as well as the potential roles of depression and parent-child attachment. A sample of 526 junior middle school students was recruited voluntarily to participate in this cross-sectional study, and the results indicated that the prevalence of suicidal ideation among junior high school students was 15.45%; perceived family financial stress was positively associated with suicidal ideation, and depression could significantly mediate this relation; parent–child attachment significantly moderated the mediating effect of depression (in particular, the relation between depression and suicidal ideation); specifically, this relation was stronger among adolescents with lower values of parent–child attachment. These findings could deepen our understanding of the influences of perceived family financial condition and the risky factors of adolescents' suicidal ideation, which could provide guidance for the prevention and intervention of adolescents' depression and suicidal ideation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Loneliness and depression are common emotional problems among left‐behind children, and these emotional problems may have a high correlation with attachment relationships. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effects of parent–child attachment on left‐behind children's loneliness and depression and the mediating roles of peer attachment and teacher–student relationship and their gender differences. Methods: Using two waves of data, 614 left‐behind children participated in the longitudinal study by completing a series of relevant questionnaire two times (spaced 6 months). Results: The results showed that (1) both father–child attachment and mother–child attachment could negatively predict the loneliness and depression of left‐behind children. Further, mother–child attachment has a greater predictive effect on loneliness. (2) Peer attachment played a mediating role in parent–child attachment and left‐behind children's loneliness; teacher–student relationship played a mediating role in parent–child attachment and left‐behind children's loneliness and depression. (3) The scores of girls were higher than those of boys in the four types of attachment relationships; the mediating role of teacher–student relationship between parent–child attachment and depression was significant only among boys. Conclusions: This study explored the factors that may have impacts on left‐behind children's loneliness and depression as well as its potential mechanism and their gender differences based on the perspective of multiple‐attachment theory. These results emphasize the important role of close parent–child attachment in reducing loneliness and depression among left‐behind children, as well as the necessary mediating role of peer attachment and teacher–student relationships. These findings provide some valuable recommendations for preventing left‐behind children's loneliness and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of China's three-child fertility policy has led to a notable increase in multiple-child families. Notably, firstborn children experience a significant transition from being an only child to a non-only child. This transition is associated with problematic behaviors, affecting their social adjustment, sibling relationships, and family harmony. Although several studies have examined the relationship between parent-child attachment and problem behaviors exhibited by firstborn children during family transitions, the findings have been inconsistent. Hence, a meta-analytic study was undertaken to elucidate the inconsistencies in this relationship and explore the moderating factors that may contribute to these discrepancies. Using a systematic literature retrieval and screening method, 12 effect sizes were derived from the 10 eligible articles, encompassing a sample size of 5319. The meta-analysis demonstrated a low negative association between parent-child secure attachment and problem behaviors exhibited by firstborn children during family transitions. Furthermore, the present study investigates potential moderator factors, such as children's age and geographic region, to gain a more nuanced understanding of the relationship. Consequently, the establishment of parent-child attachment relationships has the potential to mitigate problem behaviors observed in first-born children during family transitions. The implications of these findings indicate that parents can nurture secure attachment bonds with their children by demonstrating sensitive responsiveness, employing positive parenting practices, and fostering emotional availability. These efforts contribute to the cultivation of secure internal working models and positive behavioral manifestations within first-born children, which in turn affect their relationships with siblings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the role of parent-child attachment and personality traits on internet addiction with the network analysis method. Methods: A total of 1 437 middle school students from five middle schools in Fujian Province were investigated online with the Internet Addiction Scale, Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, and Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory brief version. EBICglasso model was used to analyze the relationship betweeni internet addiction, parent-child attachment and personality factors. Strength and bridging strength were used to discover key nodes of internet addiction and parent-child attachment networks. Results: Intemet addiction formed a stable network structure centered on the symptom of "irritability due to lack of Internet access" (strength = 1. 47). In the parent-child attachment network, the core node of father-child attachment was "confide in my father "(strength = 1.53), and the core node of mother-child attachment was "I think mother is very competent"(strength = 1.45). Parent-child attachment was connected to internet addiction through the dimension of parent-child alienation. Neuroticism (bridge strength =0.77) was an important bridge node connecting parent-child attachment and internet addiction. Conclusion: The main symptoms of middle school students 'internet addiction are withdrawal reaction and social function problems. Parent-child alienation and neuroticism are important ways for parent-child attachment to affect internet addiction in middle school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the mediating role of shyness (i.e., as a risk factor) and the moderating role of resilience (i.e., as a protective factor) between parental-child attachment and teacher-student relationships in Chinese children living in poverty. A total of 235 children was screened from 898 children as a sample of impoverished children by family economic status. Participants completed parent-child attachment, teacher-student relationships, shyness, and resilience measures. Results suggested that shyness partially mediated parent-child attachment and teacher-student relationships. Parent-child attachment was negatively related to shyness, which negatively related to teacher-student relationships. Moreover, resilience moderated the association between shyness and teacher-student relationships, with more substantial effects in the low-resilience group than the high-resilience group. Accordingly, parental attachment may play an important role in influencing teacher-student relationships for impoverished children. Increasing resilience in children in poverty may help buffer the adverse effects of shyness on teacher-student relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent–child attachment is significantly correlated with various mental problems, such as depression, among adolescents. However, very few studies have explored individual factors' protective effects on the relationship between parent–child attachment and depression among Chinese adolescents. The current study aimed to examine the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies and the moderating role of beliefs about adversity between parent–child attachment and depression. Data from a stratified random sample of 408 secondary school students were collected and a moderated mediation model was applied. The results indicate that parent–child attachment predicts depression among adolescents directly as well as through emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression). Moreover, beliefs about adversity moderate the association between regulation strategies and depression. Specifically, contrary to adolescents with high beliefs about adversity, those with low beliefs about adversity are at a lower risk of depression when they regulate their emotions with cognitive reappraisal. Contrary to adolescents with high beliefs about adversity, adolescents with low beliefs about adversity are more likely to face depression when they use expressive suppression strategy. Based on the above findings, enhancing parent–child attachment, guiding adolescents to use positive emotion regulation strategy (cognitive reappraisal), or modestly cultivating adversity beliefs can decrease adolescents' depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of parenting behaviors in influencing children's Internet addiction and the consequences of children's Internet addiction on parents' job outcomes. First, we draw on attachment theory to theorize that five parenting behaviors (i.e., parental control, monitoring, unstructured time, dissuasion, and rationalization) affect children's Internet addiction and their effects are moderated by the children's views of parent-child attachment. Second, we draw on research on the work-family interface to theorize that children's Internet addiction affects parents' job outcomes (i.e., job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and work exhaustion) and the effects are mediated by family-to-work conflict. We tested our hypotheses using an integrated research approach that includes quantitative and qualitative data. We conducted an online survey to collect quantitative responses from 776 parent-child dyads. The results of our model showed that the effects of parenting behaviors on children's Internet addiction, except for dissuasion, were moderated by the children's views of parent-child attachment. Also, family-to-work conflict mediated the effects of children's Internet addiction on parents' job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and work exhaustion. We collected qualitative data via interviews from 50 parents to cross-validate the results from the quantitative study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Displaying selective attachment behaviours is an important developmental milestone for children with severe or profound intellectual disabilities (SPID). In the current study, between-child differences in their selective emotional responses to comfort provided by parents versus strangers were observed. We explored links between these differences and parental sensitivity and motor competence. A home-based experimental observation was conducted in 38 parent-child dyads, exposing children to four naturalistic stressors and to comfort provided by either their parents or a stranger. Emotional behaviour (arousal and valence) was micro-coded and differentiation variables were constructed, reflecting the children's level of differentiation between the parent and the stranger. Parental sensitivity was coded using the Emotional Availability Scales. Results showed that these children's differentiated responses to comfort were related to children's motor competencies (particularly their fine motor skills), but not to parental sensitivity. This study shows the need to go beyond sensitivity to understand individual differences in the most basal aspects of attachment for children with SPID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College students' prosocial behaviors have been shown to help them to attain honor, achieve happiness, and improve their social adaptation. This study was designed to examine the mediating roles of parent-child attachment and emotion regulation self-efficacy in the relationship between family socioeconomic status and prosocial behaviors. A survey was conducted among 458 college students randomly selected from six universities in two Chinese provinces characterized by a medium level of higher education development. The model was verified by structural equation modeling and mediation effect testing methods. The study revealed that family socioeconomic status had a positive effect on parent-child attachment and emotion regulation self-efficacy, but had no direct effect on the students' prosocial behavior. Moreover, parent-child attachment and emotional regulation self-efficacy both mediated the influence of family socioeconomic status on the prosocial behavior of college students. Finally, family socioeconomic status affected the prosocial behavior of college students through the chain of parent-child attachment and emotional self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being confident as attachment figures is not self-evident for parents of children with severe or profound intellectual disabilities (SPID) given the children’s limited clear communicative responses. The current study drew upon the Attachment Strengths and Needs Interview to get an overview of factors that parents identify as influencing their parent-child attachment relationships. Inductive semantic thematic analysis was conducted on 23 semi-structured interviews (including responses of 35 parents). These were the parents of children (1–9 years) with a severe or profound intellectual (or multiple) disability. The results showed that parents mentioned a large number of inhibiting and facilitating factors related to developing attachment relationships with their children. Adopting an ecological systems perspective, these influences were organised in a micro-, meso-, macro-, exo- and chrono-level. This implies that not only factors related to the child (and his/her disability) were mentioned, but also factors related to (amongst others) the parents, the parent-child and family interactions, the broader environment and policy. Concluding, from parents’ perspectives, it seemed that the factors influencing the (development of) attachment relationships can be positive and negative, are versatile, layered in different levels, interconnected and not necessarily linked to their children’s disability. Both generic factors across parents and specific factors, related to individual families, should be taken into account to provide tailored support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant research in Western countries have indicated that children's well‐being may be influenced by children's own resilience, parent–child attachment, and parental marital relationship. Yet, there is very little research in Malaysia on how these factors may influence well‐being among children in middle childhood. The aim of this study, therefore, was to explore the relationships among children's self‐efficacy—a resilience factor—and well‐being, parental marital relationship, and parent–child attachment style. The study used a quantitative, cross‐sectional survey method. Participants were 955 Malay‐Malaysian children aged 11 years from intact families. They responded to a questionnaire on demographic background, self‐efficacy, well‐being, parental harmony and conflict, and parent–child attachment style. Moderated mediation analysis indicated that (i) parental harmony was a significant mediator for the relationship between children's self‐efficacy and well‐being; (ii) parental conflict was not a significant mediator for the relationship between children's self‐efficacy and well‐being; and (iii) parent–child attachment style was a significant moderator for the relationship between children's self‐efficacy and well‐being. These findings are discussed within the frameworks of optimal child development and family relationship. These findings may also inform policies such as Malaysia's Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) and National Family Policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is evidence parent–child attachment security is associated with trait-like emotion indices, trait perspectives do not fully capture children's responses to context, an important emotion regulation component. This paper evaluates whether attachment is associated with two dynamic emotion indicators: emotion reactivity and emotion recovery. We review conceptual and empirical connections, describe the dynamic emotion perspective, discuss hypotheses, and review evidence. Our review (15 studies) shows that secure attachment was more consistently related to recovery than reactivity, avoidant attachment was related to low emotion reactivity and recovery, ambivalent attachment was associated with greater emotion reactivity, and disorganized attachment was related to high reactivity and recovery difficulties. We close by comparing trait-like and dynamic emotion conclusions then propose future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Companion animals, including pet dogs, can be sources of support and potentially contribute to children’s competence and adjustment. The goal of this paper is to examine whether children’s pet dog relationships are related to their competence and adjustment after accounting for relationships with parents and friends and demographic factors. We distinguished three qualities of child-pet dog relationships – positive pet relationship qualities, friction, and pets as substitutes for people – and examined them in relation to children’s thriving, school academic performance, and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. The sample included 115 children (M age = 10.93, 57 girls and 58 boys) who completed questionnaires about the quality of their relationship with a pet dog, the positive and negative qualities of a best friendship, and the security of attachments to parents. To measure child competence, children reported their thriving and parents reported children’s school academic performance. To measure adjustment, parents and teachers reported child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Positive pet relationship qualities were related to a higher competence. Friction and pets as substitutes were related to lower competence and adjustment, although some findings varied by the reporter or after controlling for other factors. Pet relationship quality uniquely contributed to some child outcomes, although moderation analyses did not provide any evidence that pet dog relationships compensate for low-quality friendships or insecure parental attachments. Collectively, the findings suggest that relationships with pets may augment but not override the impact of relationships with parents and friends.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that destructive interparental conflict (IPC) is closely related to the emergence of emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents. In addition, in the family system, such conflict also affects the patent–child attachment relationship and emotional insecurity of adolescents. Objectives: This study mainly explores the relationship between destructive interparental conflict and adolescents’ emotional and behavioral problems, focuses on the role of parent–child attachment and emotional insecurity, and analyzes whether this relationality plays multiple mediating roles in the influence of destructive interparental conflict on emotional and behavioral problems. Methods: Data for the study were obtained through a questionnaire survey conducted on 524 Chinese adolescents from primary and junior high school. Results: Structural equation modeling was conducted to test direct and indirect pathways between destructive interparental conflict and Chinese adolescents’ emotional and behavioral problems. Destructive IPC negatively predicted parent–child attachment and parent–child attachment negatively predicted emotional and behavioral problems. Destructive Interparental conflict positively predicted emotional insecurity and emotional insecurity positively predicted emotional and behavioral problems. Discussion: The results show that: (1) Parent–child attachment negatively predicted emotional and behavioral problems, and emotional insecurity positively predicted the same. (2) Parent–child attachment and emotional insecurity act in a multiple mediating role between destructive IPC and adolescents’ emotional and behavioral problems. (3) Parent–child attachment and emotional insecurity constitute two indirect pathways between destructive IPC and adolescents’ emotional and behavioral problems, respectively. Conclusion: Destructive IPC can adversely affect emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents; destructive IPC plays a damaging role in their emotional security and parent–child attachment, consequently effecting emotional and behavioral problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The left-behind children of overseas Chinese are a kind of vulnerable children in the eastern coastal areas of China. Previous studies have shown that there are problems in their school adjustment. This study explored the relationship between parent-child attachment and school adaptation among the left-behind children of overseas Chinese parents, as well as the chain mediating role of peer relationships and hometown identity. Methods: A total of 1,047 students in grades 3-8 from 5 schools in Zhejiang Province were selected by cluster sampling. The cross-sectional survey was compiled from the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, the Adaptation subscale of the Adolescent Mental Health Quality Questionnaire-Chinese Version, the Hometown Identity Scale, and the Student Peer Relationship Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to test the conceptual model. Results: The results showed that the influence of parent-child attachment on school adjustment among the left-behind children of overseas Chinese was mediated by hometown identity. Moreover, this impact was also sequentially mediated by peer relationships and hometown identity. Conclusion: This study revealed peer relationships and hometown identity as underlying mechanism that explained the influence of parent-child attachment on school adjustment among left-behind children. It may provide empirical support for future interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationship between maternal positive coparenting and adolescent peer attachment, and the intermediary role of parental involvement and parent-child attachment in 1,807 families using the maternal positive coparenting scale, the parental involvement scale, and the parent and peer attachment scale. The results showed that maternal positive coparenting behaviour, parental involvement, parent-child attachment, and peer attachment had significant positive relationships, and maternal positive coparenting had a positive correlation with adolescent peer attachment. Moreover, parental involvement and parent-child attachment played a significant mediating role between maternal positive coparenting behavior, including unity and consistent behavior, and adolescent peer attachment, respectively, which consisted of a sole intermediary role of parental involvement; a single intermediary role of parent-children attachment; and a chain intermediary role of parental involvement and parent-children attachment. Hence, maternal positive coparenting was positively associated with adolescent peer attachment, in which parental involvement and parent-child attachment served as a crucial bridge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined the effects of parental phubbing on learning burnout in elementary and secondary school students and its mechanism of action. A questionnaire method was applied to investigate parental phubbing, parent–child attachment, ego depletion, and learning burnout among 2090 elementary and secondary school students in Anhui Province, China. The results are as follows: (1) Parental phubbing was significantly correlated with parent–child attachment, ego depletion, and learning burnout; (2) Parental phubbing has an indirect impact on learning burnout in elementary and secondary school students through three pathways: a separate mediating effect on parent–child attachment, a separate mediating effect on ego depletion, and a chain mediating effect on both. Parental phubbing is a risk factor for Learning Burnout, which can positively affect Learning Burnout in elementary and secondary school students. The findings of the study contribute to revealing the influence mechanism of parental phubbing on learning burnout in elementary and secondary school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide has been an important topic in recent years, but no previous studies have investigated suicide from the perspective of parent–child attachment and positive psychological qualities. Thus, we aimed to examine the relationship between parent–child attachment and children's suicidal ideation, as well as the mechanism involved. In total, 681 fourth-grade students from three elementary schools in Suzhou, China, were surveyed for two years. The results showed the following. (1) Mother–child attachment directly predicted suicidal ideation in children whereas father–child attachment did not. (2) Mother–child attachment indirectly predicted suicidal ideation in children via beliefs about adversity and hope, and father–child attachment indirectly predicted suicidal ideation in children via beliefs about adversity. (3) Parent–child attachment indirectly predicted suicidal ideation in children through beliefs about adversity (M 1) and hope (M 2) as a mediator set. Revealing the mechanisms associated with the generation and formation of suicidal ideation in children can help prevent possible future suicidal behaviors in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As past studies of the association between parent-child relationship and problematic internet use show mixed results and are influenced by many factors, this meta-analysis of 75 primary Chinese and English language studies from 1990 to 2021 with 110,601 participants (aged 6−25 years) explored (a) the overall association between parent-child relationship and problematic internet use, and (b) whether the association is affected by their types, country, measures, objects of the parent-child relationship, gender, age, year and publication types. We used funnel plots, Classic fail-safe N and Egger's test to test for publication bias and for moderation with the homogeneity tests. The results showed a negative association between quality of parent-child relationship and problematic internet use (r = −0.18, 95% CI = [−0.20, −0.15]). The moderation analysis found that compared with internet addiction tendency, the association between social media addiction and parent-child relationship was stronger. Moreover, the association between the parent-child relationship and problematic internet use of emerging adults (18–25 years old) was stronger than that of adolescents (12−18 years old). Furthermore, the negative association between parent-child relationship and problematic internet use was weaker (a) in Italy than those in Turkey and China, (b) when using CPS (Closeness to Parents Scale), IPPA (Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment), or PARQ (Parent-Child Relationship Questionnaire) measuring parent-child relationship than using PCCS (Parent-Child Communication Scale), (c) when using IAT measuring problematic internet use rather than using IGDS or APIUS. Hence, these results indicate a negative association between parent-child relationships and problematic internet use, and the association is moderated by types of problematic internet use, age, country, scales of both parent-child relationship and problematic internet use.

The goal of this study was to expand current attachment models by validating a three-component model of the supervision partnership conceptualization of attachment (accessibility and availability of attachment figures, willingness to communicate, and mutual recognition of other's rights in decision-making). The model was tested by examining associations with parenting, friendship quality, other attachment measures, temperament, and IQ. In a sample of 92 10- to 14-year-olds, the three components of the supervision partnership were significantly related to each other, other attachment measures and child reports of parenting and friendship, and demonstrated some discriminant validity with temperament and IQ. This study provides support for the supervision partnership as a phase of attachment in late middle childhood and early adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]