Open Access

ARTICLE

Interpersonal Disturbance and Psychological Security among China’s Left-Behind Children: The Serial Mediation Effect of Resilience and Self-Esteem

Yazhou Huang^1,2, Xing Yi^2,*, Xiaoyun Huang^1,*, Ruoya Li²

1 School of Education Science, Guangxi Minzu Normal University, Chongzuo, China
2 Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

* Corresponding Authors: Xing Yi. Email: ; Xiaoyun Huang. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Adolescence in Contemporary Times: Risks, Resilience and Mental Health)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2026, 28(7), 14 https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2026.080202

Received 04 February 2026; Accepted 15 April 2026; Issue published 30 July 2026

Abstract

Backgrounds: Left-behind children are particularly vulnerable to emotional and social maladjustment due to prolonged parental absence, yet the psychological mechanisms linking interpersonal disturbance to their psychological security remain insufficiently understood. Guided by the Conservation of Resources Theory, this research aims to explore how interpersonal disturbance influcence psychological security among left-behind children, specifically through the serial mediation effect of resilience and self-esteem. Methods: Survey questionnaires were distributed via convenience sampling to left-behind children whose age ranging from 10 to 13 years old in Guangxi, China, finally, 696 valid responses (Mean age = 11.40, Standard Deviation (SD) = 0.98) were retained for analysis to test the hypothesized mediation model. Results: Interpersonal disturbance showed a significant negative association with psychological security among left-behind children (β = −0.493, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [−0.548, −0.438], p < 0.001). Resilience and self-esteem functioned as key links within the connection between these two variables (β = −0.101, 95%CI [−0.134, −0.068]; β = −0.058, 95%CI [−0.080, −0.036], both p < 0.001, respectively). This relationship was also characterized by the serial mediation effect of resilience and self-esteem (β = −0.052, 95%CI [−0.069, −0.035], p < 0.001). Conclusions: Interpersonal disturbance is not only directly associated with lower psychological security among left-behind children but also relates to it through its connection with diminished resilience and self-esteem. This research highlights the complex interface of factors surrounding the psychological security of left-behind children in school environment, indicating that educational support might be most effective when focusing on interpersonal environments and the stability of children’s internal resources.

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Keywords

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