A longitudinal examination of loneliness in left-behind children: the interaction between self-esteem and academic self-efficacy matters

A profile of high self-esteem and low academic self-efficacy appeared to be the most at-risk for loneliness in left-behind children. The findings should inform future research and policy/intervention efforts regarding strategies for addressing loneliness in left-behind children by enhancing their academic self-efficacy and closing the esteem-efficacy discrepancy.