Interpersonal Conflict, School Connectedness and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Adolescents

Moderation Effect of Gender and Grade Level

Bibliographic Data

ID15469729
AuthorsGuanhao He (0000-0003-4152-6132, Sun Yat-sen University, corresponding author), Guan-Hao He (Sun Yat-sen University), Esben Strodl (0000-0002-7149-6395, Queensland University of Technology), Weiqing Chen (0000-0001-7521-6090), Wei-Qing Chen (0000-0002-3877-0794, Sun Yat-sen University), Fan Liu (0000-0001-8746-9845, Queensland University of Technology), Alimila Hayixibayi (0000-0002-2500-5292, Sun Yat-sen University), Xiang-Yu Hou (Queensland University of Technology), Xiang‐Yu Hou (0000-0002-2015-3579, Queensland University of Technology)
Year2019
Volume16
Issue12
Pages2182-2182
Publication date2019-06-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph16122182
PMID31226754
OpenAlexW2949479362
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited36

This study examined the associations of interpersonal conflict and school connectedness with depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 6576 adolescents in Shenzhen, China. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires that assessed adolescents' depressive symptoms, conflict with parents, teachers, and peers, school connectedness, and demographics. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the association of interpersonal conflict and school connectedness with depressive symptoms in adolescents. Results showed that conflicts with their mother, father, teachers, and peers were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms in adolescents, while greater school connectedness was related to lower levels of depressive symptoms in adolescents. Gender proved to be a moderator of these relationships in that the associations of quarreling with mothers, mothers' use of emotional punishments, teachers' use of emotional punishments, and school connectedness with depressive symptoms were stronger in females than males. Moreover, grade level proved to be another moderator, with the associations of teachers' use of physical punishment and fighting with peers with depressive symptoms being stronger in primary school students than in secondary school students. Our findings suggest that gender and grade level moderated the association of interpersonal conflict and school connectedness with depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents

Depressive symptoms · Developmental psychology · Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal relationship · Moderation · Psychiatry · Social connectedness · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Early Childhood Education and Development · Psychology · Psychosocial Factors Impacting Youth · Social Psychology