RETRACTED: Childhood trauma and internet addiction predict depression on left behind adolescents

Abstract

Objective Parents’ labor migration has resulted in a great quantity of Left Behind Adolescents (LBA) in China. This study aims to examine if childhood trauma and internet addiction does predict depression on LBA in comparison to Non-Left Behind Adolescents (NLBA) in China. Methods Participants in the study includes a sample of 1890 adolescents aged 12 to 27, including 102 LBA and 1399 NLBA in China. All participants completed the self-report questionnaires, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results There was a significant difference in IAT and CTQ between LBA and NLBA (P < 0.05). The frequent childhood trauma type was physical neglect (48%), followed by emotional neglect (32.3%). Males reported higher levels of emotional and physical abuse and physical neglect than female counterparts in LBA. The prevalence of depression (23.5%) and internet addiction (29.4%) were higher among LBA than NLBA. There were no significant differences in depression (p > 0.05). There were positive correlations between CTQ (except emotional neglect), BDI, and IAT. Multiple linear regressions indicated that emotional abuse and neglect, internet addiction, and poor academic performance were significant predictors for depression among LBA. Conclusion Childhood trauma and internet addiction were directly related to symptoms of depression in LBA, There is an urgent need for targeted interventions for LBA to prevent negative mental health outcomes.