Attachment as Moderator of Perceived Social-Class Discrimination on Behavioral Outcomes Among Chinese Migrant Children

Abstract

In this study, we examined the relations between perceived social-class discrimination, attachment, and behavior problems in a sample of Chinese migrant children in Beijing (age [Formula: see text] = 11.48, SD = 1.12; n = 179). Data were collected from two migrant schools in Beijing. The participants completed measures of perceived social-class discrimination, attachment to parents and peers, and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. The results indicated that perceived social-class discrimination was associated with more internalizing and externalizing problems. In addition, attachments to mother, father, and peer were negatively associated with behavior problems. Results of hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that child-father attachment significantly moderated the associations between perceived social-class discrimination and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. The negative effects of perceived social-class discrimination on child outcomes were mitigated when children reported higher levels of attachment to their fathers. Child-mother and child-peer attachment demonstrated no moderating effects. The findings provide some evidence of child-father attachment’s unique contribution to child socioemotional development and protection against behavior problems associated with social risks.

Self-Compassion Buffers the Psychological Distress from Perceived Discrimination Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Emerging Adults: A Longitudinal Study

“…Although associations between perceived discrimination due to socioeconomic disadvantage and psychological distress have been found in previous studies (Gamarel et al, 2012;Song et al, 2020), the specific contributions of aspects of selfcompassion (CS, RUS, or overall SC) in its buffering effect on this association have not been examined. It is especially useful to investigate these effects with a longitudinal design, as findings from cross-sectional research are somewhat limited regarding the directionality of the effects and predictability of the associations between variables (Chan et al, 2020;Sick et al, 2020).…”

“…Perceived discrimination due to socioeconomic disadvantage (also called socioeconomic discrimination, socioeconomic status/position discrimination, perceived social class discrimination) has been investigated among various groups of people (e.g., African Americans, Chinese migrant children) in recent years (Haeny et al, 2019;Song et al, 2020). Perceived discrimination refers to a perception in interacting with others of stigmatization and unfair treatment (e.g., relatively deficient education resources) related to one's own devalued or threatened social identity (Link & Phelan, 2001;Schmitt et al, 2014).…”

Social Class-Based Discrimination and Psychological Symptoms Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged College Students: The Moderated Mediation Role of Stress Mindset and Rumination

“…These students are likely to have less access to useful resources (e.g., adequate financial support) to facilitate their academic achievement before graduating ( 8 ) and are more likely to experience unfair treatment (e.g., a lack of fair employment opportunities) and relatively poor life situations ( 9 ). Studies have found that perceived social class discrimination is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety among college students from socioeconomically disadvantaged families ( 10 , 11 ). The response styles theory indicates that paying repetitive and passive concern to the causes and results of stress events and situations may lead to psychological symptoms ( 12 ).…”

Perceived Discrimination and Aggression Among Chinese Migrant Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model

“…Some studies have shown that over 50% of migrant adolescents experienced interpersonal conflicts related to peer aggression (Qin et al, 2008 ). Research has linked the high prevalence rate to discrimination experienced by these children in the receiving places (Lan et al, 2020 ; Song et al, 2020 ). They argued that discrimination impedes the development of these children by increasing their involvement in antisocial behavior.…”

“…The theoretical underpinnings of the GST are supported by empirical research showing a positive relationship between discrimination and adolescent aggression. This relationship has emerged across different adolescent demographic groups including Latinx adolescents (Smokowski and Bacallao, 2006 ; Wright and Wachs, 2019 ), African American youth (Mulvey et al, 2020 ; Xie et al, 2020 ), and Chinese migrant adolescents (Beiser et al, 2010 ; Lan et al, 2020 ; Song et al, 2020 ).…”