Abstract

     This study aims to provide a new perspective on the relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and internalizing problem behavior (IPB) among adolescents. Many studies have focused on the relationship between family SES and IPB among adolescents; however, research on the underlying mechanism is still insufficient, and peer conflict has been ignored as a crucial social relationship factor for adolescents. This study identifies two new mediating variables and a chain mediating mechanism model between them. Using national longitudinal data from 2,467 adolescents aged 10–۱۵ published in the China Family Panel Studies of wave 2018, this study found the following: (1) higher family SES can significantly reduce peer conflict and IPB among adolescents; (2) adolescents with better academic performance were less likely to be involved in peer conflict; (3) peer conflict mediated 30.41% of the relationship between family SES and adolescent’s IPB; and (4) there was a chain mediating mechanism, and the mediating effect of peer conflict was much stronger than the mediating effect of both academic performance and the chain mediation pathways. This is the first study to develop a chain mediation model to examine the roles of academic achievement and peer conflict in the relationship between family SES and IPB. These findings are significant in that they highlight the importance of providing adolescents with proper emotional de-escalation and peer conflict resolution strategies, contributing to the management of adolescent mental health in urban governance and rural development.

Introduction

     Internalizing problem behavior (IPB) that contains implicit, inner-directed symptoms (e.g., generalized depression and anxiety) is relatively common during adolescence (Hughes and Gullone, 2008; Graber and Sontag, 2009). Adolescents adolescence is a sensitive period characterized by various social, biological, and psychological changes (Christie and Viner, 2005; Hanson and Chen, 2007).

     Adolescents may experience strained parent–child relationships and peer conflict, and their mental health can be  impacted by these developments. An analysis of 29 studies (including 80,879 adolescents globally) suggested that one in four adolescents have depression symptoms, while one in five adolescents experience anxiety symptoms (Racine et  al., 2021). Adolescents in China are also increasingly suffering from mental health issues (Xiong et  al., 2017). According to the report on National Mental Health Development in China (2019–۲۰۲۰), almost one in four (24.6%) Chinese adolescents report feeling depressed, and 7.4% of them have severe depressive symptoms (Cynthia, 2022). In general, internalization problems such as depression and anxiety are becoming increasingly prominent in China.

Conclusion

     This study examined the mediating role of academic performance and peer conflict between family SES and IPB in adolescents. The findings show that family SES is negatively associated with IPB directly and indirectly through academic performance and peer conflict. In addition, this study examined the following mediating pathway: Family SES  Academic performance Peer conflict Internalizing problem behavior. Based on these findings, it is necessary to develop policies to prevent IPB in adolescents. To achieve this goal, interventions that target low academic achievement and peer conflict rather than low socioeconomic status would be more effective. Therefore, the Chinese government should increase educational investments for adolescents with low family SES to promote educational equity in urban governance and rural development. Additionally, appropriate psychological counseling services would be beneficial for adolescent peer conflict resolution.