The relationship between cumulative family risk and depression in left-behind children: a moderated mediation model

Abstract

Abstract Background This study proposed a moderated mediation model to examine the mediating role of core self-evaluation in the relationship between cumulative family risk and depression among left-behind children, and whether this process was moderated by school climate. Methods A total of 415 rural left-behind children from 35 townships in Anhui Province (54.46% males; mean age = 12.53, SD = 2.27) were randomly conducted in June 2023 using convenience sampling. Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and PROCESS 3.3. Results After controlling for gender, age, grade, and left-behind type, cumulative family risk positively predicted depression in left-behind children (β = 0.18, p 0.05; B high = − 0.26, p < 0.001). Conclusion Creating a favourable family and school climate and improving core self-evaluation are beneficial to reduce depression in left behind children.

Keywords

• Cumulative family risk
• Core self-evaluation
• School climate
• Depression
• Left-behind children