Perceived discrimination, loneliness, and non-suicidal self-injury in Chinese migrant children: The moderating roles of parent-child cohesion and gender

Abstract

Chinese rural-to-urban migrant children frequently experience discrimination, which thereby often results in significant negative consequences. However, little is known about the contribution of perceived discrimination experiences to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived discrimination and NSSI, the mediating role of loneliness in this relationship, and the moderating roles of parent-child cohesion and gender. Six hundred fifty-seven migrant children completed a perceived discrimination scale, an NSSI questionnaire, a loneliness scale, and a parent-child cohesion inventory. Results showed that there was a significant positive association between perceived discrimination and NSSI among migrant children. Loneliness mediated the relationship between perceived discrimination and NSSI. Moreover, parent-child cohesion demonstrated a moderating effect on the mediation via loneliness; the indirect association between perceived discrimination and NSSI via loneliness was only significant in low parent-child cohesion condition, but not in the high condition. Additionally, there were differences by gender, with a significantly stronger mediating effect of loneliness among migrant girls compared with migrant boys. The findings from this study contribute to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms in the relationship between perceived discrimination and NSSI. Discussion also provides directions for future interventions and delineate how programs could be designed to target loneliness and parent-child cohesion among migrant children.

COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress and Loneliness in Chinese Residents in North America: The Role of Contraction Worry

“…This would in turn increase their feelings of loneliness. The results were largely consistent with earlier findings that loneliness served as a mediating factor between perceived discrimination and depression [60] or nonsuicidal self-injury [61]. Together, these findings highlighted the urgency of reducing racial discrimination and alleviating the level of perceived and experienced discrimination against minority groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Parental Harsh Discipline and Migrant Children’s Anxiety in China: The Moderating Role of Parental Warmth and Gender

“…In addition, according to Chinese household registration system ( Hukou ), Chinese people’s citizenship and resource allocation were determined by household registration. Migrant children are usually registered in rural areas (the place of birth) rather than the city in which they have migrated (Chan & Zhang, 1999; Wang et al, 2020). This registration process may result in Chinese migrant children having no rights to enroll in high-quality public schools or utilize the same health insurance and social welfare provided to urban non-migrant children (Huang, et al, 2018; Lu et al, 2018; Peng, 2019).…”

Relationships between Perceived Discrimination and Suicidal Ideation among Impoverished Chinese College Students: The Mediating Roles of Social Support and Loneliness

“…Others’ real discrimination or the improper, subjective, perceived discrimination of impoverished students might cause them to become alienated from their classmates, leading to exacerbated loneliness [ 24 ]. Moreover, high loneliness will reduce the individual’s ability to cope with stressful events actively, produce a series of adverse psychological reactions, and lead to suicidal ideation [ 35 ].…”