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Parental Autonomy Support and Mental Health among Chinese Adolescents and Emerging Adults: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem

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  • Chunhua Ma

    (College of Educational Science and Technology, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, China)

  • Yongfeng Ma

    (College of Educational Science and Technology, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, China)

  • Youpeng Wang

    (Department of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou Petrochemical University of Vocational Technology, Lanzhou 730060, China)

Abstract

Guided by the dual-factor model and self-determination theory, this study explored the relationship between parental autonomy support and mental health (i.e., life satisfaction and emotional problems) in adolescents and emerging adults, with a focus on the mediating role of self-esteem. We conducted two studies among independent samples in China, including 1617 adolescents aged 10 to 17 years ( M age =12.79, SD = 1.63; 50.7% girls; Study 1) and 1274 emerging adults aged 17 to 26 years ( M age = 20.31, SD = 1.63; 56.6% women; Study 2). All participants completed a set of self-reported questionnaires. The results of both studies validated our hypothesis; specifically, parental autonomy support was positively associated with life satisfaction, but negatively associated with emotional problems (emotional symptoms in Study 1 and depressive symptoms in Study 2). Meanwhile, self-esteem partially mediated the positive relationship between parental autonomy support and life satisfaction ( R 2 = 0.33 in Study 1; R 2 = 0.38 in Study 2), and partially mediated the negative relationship between parental autonomy support and emotional problems ( R 2 = 0.16 in Study 1; R 2 = 0.42 in Study 2). In summary, this suggests that the common antecedents of positive and negative indicators of mental health addressed in this study are prevalent in adolescents and emerging adults. These findings have important implications for preventive and interventional efforts aimed at mental health problems in both demographics.

Suggested Citation

  • Chunhua Ma & Yongfeng Ma & Youpeng Wang, 2022. "Parental Autonomy Support and Mental Health among Chinese Adolescents and Emerging Adults: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14029-:d:955813
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang Liu & Jie Mei & Lili Tian & E. Huebner, 2016. "Age and Gender Differences in the Relation Between School-Related Social Support and Subjective Well-Being in School Among Students," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 125(3), pages 1065-1083, February.
    2. Mohsen Joshanloo & Samaneh Afshari, 2011. "Big Five Personality Traits and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Life Satisfaction in Iranian Muslim University Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 105-113, March.
    3. William Boyce & Torbjorn Torsheim & Candace Currie & Alessio Zambon, 2006. "The Family Affluence Scale as a Measure of National Wealth: Validation of an Adolescent Self-Report Measure," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 78(3), pages 473-487, September.
    4. Lavrič, Miran & Naterer, Andrej, 2020. "The power of authoritative parenting: A cross-national study of effects of exposure to different parenting styles on life satisfaction," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
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