Association of relative deprivation with loneliness and its underlying mechanisms: Evidence from Chinese migrant children

Abstract

Given the increase in the number of internal migrant children, the mental health problems (e.g., loneliness) of this population have received widespread attention. Relative deprivation is considered to be related to migrant children’s loneliness. However, the underlying mechanisms of this relationship remain unclear. Therefore, the present study tested the possible mediating role of self-esteem and the moderating role of belief in a just world in the association between relative deprivation and loneliness of migrant children. A total of 1,261 Chinese rural-to-urban migrant children (10–15 years old, Mage = 12.34 years, SD = 1.67; 52.0% males, 48.0% females; 23.55% fourth grade students, 16.49% fifth grade students, 19.59% sixth grade students, 15.54% seventh grade students, 13.80% eighth grade students, and 10.86% ninth grade students) were recruited to complete measures of relative deprivation, self-esteem, belief in a just world, loneliness, and demographic variables. Relative deprivation was significantly and positively correlated with migrant children’s loneliness, and this connection could be mediated by self-esteem. Moreover, the first part of the indirect effect of self-esteem on this link was moderated by belief in a just world. These effects were stronger for migrant children with higher levels of belief in a just world. This study reveals the potential mechanisms of relative deprivation affecting loneliness, while also providing insights into how to better help migrant children alleviate loneliness and improve their mental health.

Peer victimization and Internet addiction among adolescents: The role of anger rumination and social dominance orientation

“…According to the worldview verification model, worldviews help individuals to appraise and respond to negative life experiences (Major et al, 2007). When the actual situation or their experience is inconsistent with the worldview, adolescents' sense of certainty and security decreases, which is harmful for their adaptive emotional and behavioral development (Xiong & Xu, 2023). In this vein, high‐SDO adolescents view the world as a “competitive jungle” (Duckitt et al, 2002), may be more tolerant to aggression, and likely to engage in aggressive behavior to achieve their goals (Goodboy et al, 2016).…”

“…That is, when experiencing peer victimization, adolescents low in SDO are more likely to have high levels of anger rumination, which further increases the risk of Internet addiction. To date, no published studies have directly examined the moderating role of SDO in the association between peer victimization, anger rumination and Internet addiction; however, the related research has provided further evidence of this possible mechanism (e.g., Wu et al, 2014; Xiong & Xu, 2023). For instance, one study based on migrant children found that high belief in a just world exacerbated the negative effect of relative deprivation on loneliness (Xiong & Xu, 2023).…”

“…To date, no published studies have directly examined the moderating role of SDO in the association between peer victimization, anger rumination and Internet addiction; however, the related research has provided further evidence of this possible mechanism (e.g., Wu et al, 2014; Xiong & Xu, 2023). For instance, one study based on migrant children found that high belief in a just world exacerbated the negative effect of relative deprivation on loneliness (Xiong & Xu, 2023). Another study with a sample of racial/ethnic minorities found that the mediating effect of stress on the association between bullying and rejection sensitivity was stronger among students with low SDO (Wu et al, 2014).…”