Childhood neglect, depression, and academic burnout in left-behind children in China: Understanding the roles of feelings of insecurity and self-esteem
Background: Childhood neglect correlates with increased levels of depression and academic burnout. However, the unique contribution and underlying mechanisms of physical and emotional neglect to depression and academic burnout among left-behind children in China remain unknown. Objective: This study...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Child Protection and Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950193825000750 |
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| Summary: | Background: Childhood neglect correlates with increased levels of depression and academic burnout. However, the unique contribution and underlying mechanisms of physical and emotional neglect to depression and academic burnout among left-behind children in China remain unknown. Objective: This study examined the underlying mechanisms of physical and emotional neglect on depression and academic burnout through feelings of insecurity and self-esteem in left-behind children in China. Participants: and Settings: Participants were 1597 Chinese left-behind children (Mage = 16.81; 50.5 % boys) from senior high schools in Anhui Province, China. Methods: Participants completed a childhood trauma questionnaire, a security questionnaire, a Rosenberg self-esteem scale, a children depression scale, and a Maslach burnout inventory-human services survey in 2019. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Results: Results showed that physical neglect was linked with depression and academic burnout through self-esteem. Emotional neglect was linked with depression and academic burnout through both feelings of insecurity and self-esteem. Conclusions: Our results highlighted the distinct negative influences of different types of child maltreatment and suggested potential interventions targeted at emotional and cognitive domains. |
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| ISSN: | 2950-1938 |