Abstract
In China, adolescents are frequently left behind. To date, few studies have focused on the pro-social tendencies of left-behind adolescents and the relationship of family function, self-esteem, and pro-social tendency is yet to be examined. This study, therefore, aims to understand the status of pro-social tendency of left-behind adolescents and to explore the mediating and moderating roles of self-esteem in the relationship between family function and pro-social tendency. A large, school-based survey was conducted in three Chinese provinces. An analysis of covariance was first used to identify the differences in pro-social tendency between adolescents who were and were not left behind. We then analyzed the variance within left-behind adolescents using demographics, left-behind type, years of being left-behind, and caregiver related characteristics. A structural equation model was used to analyze the relationship of family function, self-esteem, and pro-social tendency, with bootstrapping used to explore the mediating role of self-esteem. Additionally, an ordinary least squares regression was used to examine the moderating effect of self-esteem. The results showed that the pro-social tendency of left-behind adolescents was lower than in non-left-behind adolescents (F = 15.11, p = 0.0001). Family function was positive related to pro-social tendency (r = 0.259), which had not only a direct effect on pro-social tendency (β = 0.254), but also an indirect effect through self-esteem (β = 0.071, bias-corrected 95% CI: 0.051:0.090; percentile 95% CI: 0.053:0.092). Additionally, 21.85% of the total effect of family function on pro-social tendency was mediated by self-esteem. Furthermore, self-esteem negatively moderated the relationship between family function and pro-social tendency (β = -0.208, p < 0.0001), such that the effect of family function on pro-social tendency became weaker as self-esteem increased. The current study verified the negative effect of being left behind on the social development of adolescents and contributed to the understanding of the importance of self-esteem in the relationship between family function and pro-social tendency. Interventions aimed at enhancing self-esteem should be developed and implemented in left-behind adolescents to promote wellness in the entirety of psychological and social outcomes.
Highlights
In China, the rapid growth of the economy is contributing to an increasing amount of internal migrants moving from rural to urban areas to seek employment opportunities (Hu et al, 2008; Guang et al, 2017)
Self-esteem negatively moderated the relationship between family function and pro-social tendency; the effect of family function on pro-social tendencies weakened as self-esteem increased
Self-esteem appears to affect the impact of family function on pro-social tendencies
Summary
In China, the rapid growth of the economy is contributing to an increasing amount of internal migrants moving from rural to urban areas to seek employment opportunities (Hu et al, 2008; Guang et al, 2017). Some rural migrants have brought their families with to the cities (Nielsen et al, 2005), most parents opt not to take their children with them, due to financial constraints and the transient nature of the work in urban areas (Keung Wong et al, 2007; Gao et al, 2010). LBAs are separated from their parents over a long period of time and are cared for by their grandparents or other relatives, with some even taking care of themselves Physical time with their parents is very limited and contact is generally maintained by telephone. Previous research has shown that LBAs are prone to feelings of being abandoned/unloved and felt confusion and worry, all of which may lead to negative consequences in socialization (Chang et al, 2017; Han et al, 2018)
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