The parallel mediating effects of anxiety and depression states between life events and behavior problems in adolescents
10.3760/cma.j.cn371468-20240605-00264
- VernacularTitle:焦虑和抑郁情绪在生活事件与青少年行为问题间的并行中介作用
- Author:
Zihao YANG
1
;
Qingqing ZHANG
;
Dan WANG
;
Lei ZHANG
;
Hua ZHENG
;
Lijing SHI
;
Nana WANG
;
Yihan ZHANG
;
Zhenyi LI
;
Min SUN
;
Huimin CHEN
;
Huiping CHENG
;
Ruiling ZHANG
;
Chuansheng WANG
Author Information
1. 新乡医学院第二附属医院心理咨询科，新乡 453002
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Life events;
Anxiety;
Depression;
Behavior problems;
Adolescent
- From:
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science
2025;34(3):259-265
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the relationship between life events, anxiety, depression, and behavior problems in adolescents.Methods:From September to October 2022, the cluster sampling method was used to select 5 341 adolescents from 4 middle schools in Xinxiang urban area.The subjects and their parents were investigated by the adolescent self-rating life events check list (ASLEC), generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7), patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and child behavior checklist (CBCL). SPSS 27.0 software was used for Spearman correlation analysis, and AMOS 28.0 software was used to construct the structural equation model.Results:The scores of anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems were 1 (0, 4), 1 (0, 4), and 3 (0, 10). The total score of life events was 5 (1, 13), and the dimensions scored as follows: interpersonal conflict 1 (0, 4), academic pressure 2 (0, 5), punishment 0 (0, 2), loss 0 (0, 0), health and adaptation problem 0 (0, 1), and others 0 (0, 2). There were positive correlations between life events and its dimensions, depression, anxiety and behavioral problems ( r=0.28-0.69, all P<0.01). In the overall population, anxiety and depression played parallel mediating roles in the impact of life events on behavior problems. Life events could positively predict anxiety ( β=0.68, P<0.01), and anxiety could positively predict behavior problems ( β=0.04, P=0.02). Life events could positively predict depression ( β=0.77, P<0.01), and depression could positively predict behavior problems ( β=0.18, P<0.01). The standardized total effect size of the impact of life events on behavioral problems was 0.622 (95% CI=0.564-0.675). The standardized direct effect size and indirect effect size were 0.460 (95% CI=0.374-0.539) and 0.162 (95% CI=0.108-0.218), accounting for 74.0% and 26.0%of the total effect, respectively. After stratification by gender, the results for male adolescents were consistent with the overall population, while the mediating effect of anxiety was not significant in the female adolescents. Conclusion:Life events can lead to anxiety and depression in adolescents, thereby increasing the risk of behavior problems.
