Effects of Neglectful Parenting on Life Satisfaction of Multicultural Adolescents: Dual Mediating Effect of Self-Esteem and Social Withdrawal

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of neglectful parenting on life satisfaction among multicultural adolescents and to identify the dual mediating effects of self-esteem and social withdrawal. The research data included 1,160 responses of multicultural adolescents collected by the Year 6 (2018) and Year 7(2019) data of the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study (by the National Youth Policy Institute) was analyzed. Multiple regression and dual mediation analysis were performed. The major findings are as follows. First, Results showed that 37.7% of respondents had experienced neglectful parenting from their parents. Second, neglectful parenting had a direct and negative impact on life satisfaction. Third, self-esteem played a mediating role in the relationship between neglectful parenting and life satisfaction, but, the mediating effect of social withdrawal had not been verified. Fourth, in the path from neglectful parenting to life satisfaction, dual mediating effect of self-esteem and social withdrawal were significant. It can be interpreted that neglectful parenting reduces self-esteem and increases social withdrawal, consequently undermining the life satisfaction. Based on these results, we proposed practical and policy implications to prevent the harmful effects of neglectful parenting and promote life satisfaction for multicultral adolescents.