Longitudinal association between interparental conflict and risk-taking behavior among Chinese adolescents: testing a moderated mediation model

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Research

Lin-Xin Wang¹  Kai Dou²  Ming-Chen Zhang²  Wan-Yu Ye²  Xiao-Qi Lin³ 

[1] Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China;Department of Psychology and Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, 230, Waihuan Road West, Panyu District, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China;Jieyang NO.1 High School Rongjiang New Town Campus, Student development center, Rongjing Road, Yuhu Town, Rongcheng District, Jieyang, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China;

关键词: Adolescence;    Interparental conflict;    Risk-taking behavior;    Deviant peer affiliation;    School climate;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13034-023-00556-4

 received in 2022-11-16, accepted in 2022-12-27,  发布年份 2022

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe interparental conflict has been associated with an increased adolescents’ engagement in risk-taking behaviors. However, few studies have examined the potential mediation of deviant peer affiliation and the potential moderation of school climate. Grounded in the ecological system theory, this study aimed to explore the mediating role of deviant peer affiliation and the moderating role of school climate between the association of interparental conflict and risk-taking behavior.MethodsThis study conducted a longitudinal design (3 time points, 3 months apart) with the sample comprising 550 middle school students in southeastern China (52.91% males; mean age at Time 1 = 15.37). The performed measurements encompassed interparental conflict (T1), deviant peer affiliation (T2), school climate (T3), risk-taking behavior (T1/T2/T3), and demographic information.ResultsThe moderated mediation model revealed that after controlling for T1/T2 risk-taking behavior, T1 interparental conflict was longitudinally and positively correlated with T3 risk-taking behavior through T2 deviant peer affiliation. Furthermore, moderated mediation analysis demonstrated that a positive school climate ameliorated the adverse impact of deviant peer affiliation on risk-taking behavior, thereby mitigating the indirect effect of interparental conflict on risk-taking behavior among adolescents.ConclusionsOur findings propose a nuanced explanation of the processing mechanisms between interparental conflict and risk-taking behaviors among Chinese adolescents. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

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