Impact of Family Environment in Rural China on Loneliness, Depression, and Internet Addiction Among Children and Adolescents

This study investigates the impact of family environments on the psychological well-being of children and adolescents in rural China, focusing on loneliness, depression, and internet addiction. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 652 families in rural Hunan province to examine the role of family communication, caregiver psychological states, and parenting styles. Structural equation modeling revealed that family economic conditions influenced children's mental health through primary caregivers' emotional well-being, hostile parenting styles, and family communication. Notably, hostile parenting and poor family communication were the strongest mediators across all three psychological outcomes, consistently exhibiting significant associations with loneliness, depression, and internet addiction. The findings highlight the crucial role of parenting styles and poor family communication in shaping children's psychological health, emphasizing the need for interventions that enhance family communication and promote supportive parenting. Addressing caregiver emotional well-being and adjusting parental expectations may serve as effective strategies for improving mental health outcomes among rural youth.