Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2020-6
The mediating effect of self-esteem on the relationship of living environment,anxiety,and depression of underprivileged children: A path analysis in Chinese context
This study aimed to explore the relationships of living environment, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression of children in poverty. A sample of 1314 children (grades 4–9) was collected by a school-based survey in Xiushui city, Mainland China. Structural equation modeling was adopted to analyze the data and verify the hypothesized model. Results showed that living environment was negatively correlated with poor children’s anxiety and depression levels, and self-esteem had a mediating effect on the relationship between living environment and the mental health of underprivileged children. Based on these findings, we proposed relevant theoretical and practical implications.
AbrahamASommerhalderKAbelT (2010) Landscape and well-being: A scoping study on the health-promoting impact of outdoor environments. International Journal of Public Health55(1): 59–69.
2.
AgnewR (1991) A longitudinal test of social control theory and delinquency. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency28(2): 126–156.
3.
AndersonJCGerbingDW (1988) Structural equation modeling in practice: A review and recommended two-step approach. Psychological Bulletin1033(3): 411–423.
4.
BarnesMButtSTomaszewskiW (2008) The Dynamics of Bad Housing: The Impact of Bad Housing on the Living Standards of Children. London: National Centre for Social Research.
5.
BaumFEZierschAMZhangG, et al. (2009) Do perceived neighbourhood cohesion and safety contribute to neighbourhood differences in health?Health & Place15(4): 925–934.
6.
BeckAT (1967) Depression: Clinical, experimental and theoretical aspects. The Journal of the American Medical Association203(13): 1144–1145.
7.
BentlerPM (1990) Comparative fit indexes in structural models. Psychological Bulletin107(2): 238–246.
8.
BeyerKMKaltenbachASzaboA, et al. (2014) Exposure to neighborhood green space and mental health: Evidence from the survey of the health of Wisconsin. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health11(3): 3453–3472.
9.
BjarnasonTBendtsenPArnarssonAM, et al. (2012) Life satisfaction among children in different family structures: A comparative study of 36 western societies. Children & Society26(1): 51–62.
10.
BollenKA (1989) A new incremental fit index for general structural equation models. Sociological Methods & Research17(3): 303–316.
11.
BosAERHuijdingJMurisP, et al. (2010) Global, contingent and implicit self-esteem and psychopathological symptoms in adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences48(3): 311–316.
12.
BramlettMDBlumbergSJ (2007) Family structure and children’s physical and mental health. Health Affairs26(2): 549–558.
13.
ButlerAMKowalkowskiMJonesHA, et al. (2012) The relationship of reported neighborhood conditions with child mental health. Academic Pediatrics12(6): 523–531.
14.
ByrneBM (2001) Structural equation modeling with AMOS, EQS, and LISREL: Comparative approaches to testing for the factorial validity of a measuring instrument. International Journal of Testing1(1): 55–86.
15.
ChenFF (2015) The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the revised-positive version of Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Advances in Psychology5(9): 531–535.
16.
ChenJChenS (2015) Mental health effects of perceived living environment and neighborhood safety in urbanizing China. Habitat International46: 101–110.
17.
ChengSTHamidPN (1995) An error in the use of translated scales: The Rosenberg self-esteem scale for Chinese. Perceptual and Motor Skills81(2): 431–434.
18.
ComeauJM (2015) Children’s mental health over the early life course: The impact of economic resources, neighborhood disorder, and family processes, PhD Thesis, The University of Western Ontario, London.
19.
CoudevylleGRGernigonCGinisKAM (2011) Self-esteem, self-confidence, anxiety and claimed self-handicapping: A mediational analysis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise12(6): 670–675.
20.
CrockerJParkLE (2004) The costly pursuit of self-esteem. Psychological Bulletin130(3): 392–414.
21.
CrombieRClarkCStansfeldSA (2011) Environmental noise exposure, early biological risk and mental health in nine to ten year old children: A cross-sectional field study. Environmental Health10(1): 39.
22.
DahalS (2017) Neighborhood factors associated with mental disorder among children in the USA: Evidence from national survey of children’s health 2011/12, MPH Thesis, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
23.
DaiQChuRX (2018) Anxiety, happiness and self-esteem of western Chinese left-behind children. Child Abuse & Neglect86: 403–413. DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.08.002.
24.
DixsonMBermesEFairS (2014) An instrument to investigate expectations about and experiences of the parent-child relationship: The Parent-Child Relationship Schema Scale. Social Sciences3(1): 84–114.
25.
DregerSMeyerNFrommeH, et al. (2015) Environmental noise and incident mental health problems: A prospective cohort study among school children in Germany. Environmental Research143: 49–54.
26.
EcheverríaSDiez-RouxAVSheaS, et al. (2008) Associations of neighborhood problems and neighborhood social cohesion with mental health and health behaviors: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis. Health & Place14(4): 853–865.
27.
FanJGuHLYangHL, et al. (2013) Quality of life in children with depressive disorder. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care21(12): 1262–1265.
28.
FedaDMSeelbinderABaekS, et al. (2014) Neighbourhood parks and reduction in stress among adolescents: Results from buffalo, New York. Indoor and Built Environment24(5): 631–639.
29.
FendrichMWarnerVWeissmanMM (1990) Family risk factors, parental depression, and psychopathology in offspring. Developmental Psychology26(26): 40–50.
30.
FranssonETurunenJHjernA, et al. (2016) Psychological complaints among children in joint physical custody and other family types: Considering parental factors. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health44(2): 177–183.
31.
GaleaSAhernJRudenstineS, et al. (2005) Urban built environment and depression: A multilevel analysis. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health59(10): 822–827.
32.
GrecaAMLLopezN (1998) Social anxiety among adolescents: Linkages with peer relations and friendships. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology26(2): 83–94.
33.
GreenbergJPyszczynskiTSolomonS (1986) The causes and consequences of a need for self-esteem: A terror management theory. In: BaumeisterRF (ed.) Public Self and Private Self. New York: Springer, pp. 189–212.
34.
HubertyTJ (2012) The developmental psychopathology of depression. In: HubertyTJ (ed.) Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents. New York: Springer, pp. 55–75.
35.
HughesMEWaiteLJ (2002) Health in household context: Living arrangements and health in late middle age. Journal of Health and Social Behavior43(1): 1–21.
36.
JonesA (2010) Black and minority ethnic communities’ experience of overcrowding. London: Race Equality Foundation.
37.
JoutsenniemiKMartelinTMartikainenP, et al. (2006) Living arrangements and mental health in Finland. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health60(6): 468–475.
38.
KaggwaEBHindinMJ (2010) The psychological effect of orphanhood in a matured HIV epidemic: An analysis of young people in Mukono, Uganda. Social Science & Medicine70(7): 1002–1010.
39.
KesslerRCAvenevoliSCostelloEJ, et al. (2012) Prevalence, persistence, and sociodemographic correlates of DSM-IV disorders in the national comorbidity survey replication adolescent supplement. Archives of General Psychiatry69(4): 372–380.
40.
KlineRB (2005) Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling (2nd edn). New York: Guilford Press.
41.
LeeMA (2009) Neighborhood residential segregation and mental health: A multilevel analysis on Hispanic Americans in Chicago. Social Science & Medicine68(11): 1975–1984.
42.
LeslieECerinE (2008) Are perceptions of the local environment related to neighbourhood satisfaction and mental health in adults?Preventive Medicine47(3): 273–278.
43.
LiCKYinXCJiangS (2020) Effects of multidimensional child poverty on children’s mental health in Mainland China. Journal of Health Psychology25(3): 400–415. DOI: 10.1177/1359105317718379.
44.
LiFSuLYJinY (2006) Norm of the screen for child social anxiety related emotional disorders in Chinese urban children. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care14(4): 335–337.
45.
LiuHYChangFYueA, et al. (2017) The impact of parental migration on the mental health of rural left-behind children: Based on panel data studies. Peking University Education Review15(2): 161–174, 192.
46.
MairCFRouxAVDGaleaS (2008) Are neighborhood characteristics associated with depressive symptoms? A critical review. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health62: 940–946.
47.
MerikangasKRHeJPBursteinM, et al. (2010) Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in U.S. adolescents: Results from the national comorbidity survey replication–adolescent supplement (NCS-A). Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry49(10): 980–990.
48.
MetalskyGIJoinerTEHardinTS, et al. (1993) Depressive reactions to failure in a naturalistic setting: A test of the hopelessness and self-esteem theories of depression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology102(1): 101–109.
49.
MoksnesUKMoljordIEOEspnesGA, et al. (2010) The association between stress and emotional states in adolescents: The role of gender and self-esteem. Personality and Individual Differences49(5): 430–435.
50.
NduwimanaEMukunziSNgLC, et al. (2016) Mental health of children living in foster families in rural Rwanda: The role of HIV and the family environment. Aids Behav21: 1518–1529.
51.
OrthURobinsRW (2013) Understanding the link between low self-esteem and depression. Current Directions in Psychological Science22(6): 455–460.
52.
OrthURobinsRWMeierLL, et al. (2015) Refining the vulnerability model of low self-esteem and depression: Disentangling the effects of genuine self-esteem and narcissism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology110(1): 133–149.
53.
PernaLBolteGMayrhoferH, et al. (2010) The impact of the social environment on children’s mental health in a prosperous city: An analysis with data from the city of Munich. BMC Public Health10: 199.
54.
RiegerSTrautweinURobertsBW (2015) Low self-esteem prospectively predicts depression in the transition to young adulthood: A replication of Orth, Robins, and Roberts (2008). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology110(1): 16–22.
55.
RollingsKAWellsNMEvansGW, et al. (2017) Housing and neighborhood physical quality: Children’s mental health and motivation. Journal of Environmental Psychology50: 17–23.
56.
SawyerMGCarboneJASearleAK, et al. (2007) The mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents in home-based foster care. Medical Journal of Australia186(4): 181–184.
57.
SheidowAJSmithDGTolanPH, et al. (2001) Family and community characteristics: Risk factors for violence exposure in inner city youth. Journal of Community Psychology29(3): 345–360.
58.
SouranderANiemeläSSantalahtiP, et al. (2008) Changes in psychiatric problems and service use among 8-year-old children: A 16-year population-based time-trend study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry47(3): 317–327.
59.
SowisloJFOrthU (2013) Does low self-esteem predict depression and anxiety? A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin139(1): 213.
60.
StansfeldSAClarkCCameronRM, et al. (2009) Aircraft and road traffic noise exposure and children’s mental health. Journal of Environmental Psychology29(2): 203–207.
61.
StrifeSDowneyL (2009) Childhood development and access to nature: A new direction for environmental inequality research. Organization & Environment22(1): 99–122.
62.
TieslerCMBirkMThieringE, et al. (2013) Exposure to road traffic noise and children’s behavioural problems and sleep disturbance: Results from the GINIplus and LISAplus studies. Environmental Research123: 1–8.
63.
TzivianLWinklerADlugajM, et al. (2015) Effect of long-term outdoor air pollution and noise on cognitive and psychological functions in adults. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health218(1): 1–11.
64.
United Nations Children’s Fund (2015) Global data on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Available at: https://washdata.org/data#!/chn (accessed 12 July 2017).
65.
ValléeJCadotERoustitC, et al. (2011) The role of daily mobility in mental health inequalities: The interactive influence of activity space and neighbourhood of residence on depression. Social Science & Medicine73(8): 1133–1144.
66.
VloetTDKKonradBDahlmannH (2009) Psychische erkrankungen im kindes- und jugendalter und ihre auswirkungen auf das erwachsenwerden. Die Psychiatrie6(4): 199–208.
67.
WangJZhangHBHuHL, et al. (2010) Reliability and validity evaluation of children’s depression scale. Modern Preventive Medicine37(9): 1642–1645.
68.
WHO and UNICEF (2017) Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: 2017 Update and SDG Baselines. Geneva: World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
69.
WilliamsNJSherrME (2009) Children’s psychosocial rehabilitation: Clinical outcomes for youth with serious emotional disturbance living in foster care. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal26(3): 225–234.
70.
WuQ (2017) Effects of social capital in multiple contexts on the psychosocial adjustment of Chinese migrant children. Youth & Society49: 150–179.
71.
WuWFLuYBTanFR, et al. (2010) The reliability and validity of Chinese version of children depression scale in primary and middle school students. Chinese Journal of Mental Health24(10): 775–779.
72.
YangG (2015) Policy analysis on the problem of left-behind children—From the perspective of new urbanization. Chinese Youth Studies33: 37.
73.
ZachAMeyerNHendrowarsitoL, et al. (2016) Association of sociodemographic and environmental factors with the mental health status among preschool children-results from a cross-sectional study in Bavaria, Germany. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health219(4–5): 458–467.
74.
ZhuSQ (2016) The influence of parents’ outing on the mental health of left–behind children in rural areas–based on the empirical study of farmers in four provinces. Journal of Jinan University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition)38(2): 84–94.
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
