Logo image
Rural Chinese youth during the transition into adulthood: Family dynamics and psychological adjustment
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Rural Chinese youth during the transition into adulthood: Family dynamics and psychological adjustment

Xinwei Zhang and Peggy A. Kong
International journal of psychology, v 56(5), pp 756-765
Oct 2021
PMID: 33650700

Abstract

Interparental interactions Parent–adolescent interactions Psychological adjustment Rural China Transition into adulthood
Rural youth in China experience numerous challenges during their transition into adulthood. Yet, research on this transition and its relevant influential factors is rare. Through the lens of family systems theory, this study examined the impacts of family dynamics (i.e., interparental and parent–adolescent interactions) in adolescence on the psychological adjustment of youth as they transition into adulthood. Participants were 1330 youth and their mothers in rural Gansu. In 2004, mothers completed questionnaires of interparental and parent–adolescent interactions when youth were adolescents (Mage = 15.03, SD = 1.15). In 2009, youth completed questionnaires of depression and self‐esteem when they were emerging adults (Mage = 20.03, SD = 1.15). Results of structural equation modelling suggested that while interparental interactions in adolescence were not associated with the psychological adjustment of youth in emerging adulthood, positive parent–adolescent interactions in adolescence predicted better psychological adjustment of youth in emerging adulthood. Furthermore, mediation analysis showed that although interparental interactions did not directly affect the psychological adjustment of youth, they were positively associated with parent–adolescent interactions, which in turn contributed to the psychological adjustment of youth. The results reveal an enduring influence of family dynamics on psychological adjustment among rural Chinese youth during the transition into adulthood.

Metrics

10 Record Views
7 citations in Scopus

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Logo image