Associations of parent-adolescent relationship and self-esteem with emotional and behavioral problems among Chinese adolescents

This study aimed at exploring the associations of parent-adolescent relationship and self-esteem with emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) among Chinese adolescents using a large-scale nationally questionnaire survey data from China. Obtained from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) 2018, the research data involved 2400 adolescents aged 10–15. Multiple linear regression analysis and the PROCESS macro were used for examining the mediating effect of self-esteem on the associations of parent-adolescent relationship with EBPs. After controlling the potential confounding factors, parent-adolescent relationship and self-esteem were significantly associated with EBPs (P < 0.01). Correlation analysis results showed that parent-adolescent relationship (r = −0.116, P < 0.01) and self-esteem (r = −0.209, P < 0.01) were negatively correlated with EBPs. Self-esteem partially mediated the associations of parent-adolescent relationship with EBPs among Chinese adolescents. The cross-sectional design limited the ability to make causal inferences. Positive parent-adolescent relationship and high self-esteem contributed to fewer EBPs of adolescents. Parent-adolescent relationship predicted EBPs partially mediated by self-esteem. Establishing positive parent-adolescent relationship and improving individual self-esteem may thus be promising targets for intervention in adolescents with EBPs.