The impact of emotional neglect on internet addiction among left-behind adolescents in rural China: A moderated mediation model

Background: Urbanization has led to a significant increase in left-behind adolescents in rural China, those aged 11 to 18 who remain in rural areas due to one or both parents migrating to cities for work for more than six months. Without parental support and guidance, those adolescents often face emotional neglect and develop internet addiction, which is associated with low parent-child closeness and high experiential avoidance. However, intentional self-regulation may serve as a protective factor against these adverse effects. 

Objective: Grounded in ecological systems theory, the present study proposes a moderated mediation model to examine the mechanisms by which emotional neglect experienced by left-behind adolescents contributes to the development of internet addiction. 

Participants and setting: Data was collected from Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province, China, which has many ethnic minorities and faces economic challenges. 

Methods: A total of 407 left-behind adolescents between 13 and 16 years of age completed the anonymous self-report paper questionnaire. PROCESS for SPSS was adopted to test hypotheses and answer the research questions. 

Results: The results reveal a significant and positive correlation between emotional neglect and internet addiction. Parent-child closeness and experiential avoidance partially mediate this relationship. Additionally, intentional self-regulation functions as a buffering moderator. Higher levels of intentional self-regulation correspond to a reduced positive impact of emotional neglect and experiential avoidance on internet addiction while increasing the negative impact of parent-child closeness on internet addiction. 

Conclusions: This study enhances the understanding of internet addiction in left-behind adolescents in rural China and extends the application of ecological systems theory within the Chinese family context. Practical implications for family, school, and society are discussed.