The Impact of Emotional Neglect on Internet Addiction Among Left-Behind Adolescents in Rural China: A Moderated Mediation Model

With the rapid acceleration of urbanization, the population of left-behind adolescents in rural China has grown significantly. Grounded in ecological systems theory, the present study proposes a hypothetical two-path model to examine the mechanisms by which emotional neglect experienced by left-behind adolescents contributes to the development of internet addiction in the family context. This study utilized paper questionnaires to recruit 407 left-behind adolescents from Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province, an area characterized by a high population of ethnic minorities and limited economic development. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between emotional neglect and internet addiction among left-behind adolescents. Parent-child intimacy and experiential avoidance partially mediate this relationship. Additionally, intentional self-regulation moderates the effects of emotional neglect on internet addiction, as well as the connections between parent-child intimacy and experiential avoidance with internet addiction. 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. Furthermore, preventive measures for internet addiction from the perspectives of family, school, and society are discussed, aiming to support the healthy development of these adolescents.