Childhood neglect, depression, and academic burnout in left-behind children in China: Understanding the roles of feelings of insecurity and self-esteem

Childhood neglect correlates with increased levels of depression and academic burnout. However, the unique contribution and underlying mechanisms of physical and emotional neglect to depression and academic burnout among left-behind children in China remain unknown. This study examined the underlying mechanisms of physical and emotional neglect on depression and academic burnout through feelings of insecurity and self-esteem in left-behind children in China. and Settings: Participants were 1597 Chinese left-behind children ( M age = 16.81; 50.5 % boys) from senior high schools in Anhui Province, China. Participants completed a childhood trauma questionnaire, a security questionnaire, a Rosenberg self-esteem scale, a children depression scale, and a Maslach burnout inventory-human services survey in 2019. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Results showed that physical neglect was linked with depression and academic burnout through self-esteem. Emotional neglect was linked with depression and academic burnout through both feelings of insecurity and self-esteem. Our results highlighted the distinct negative influences of different types of child maltreatment and suggested potential interventions targeted at emotional and cognitive domains. • Physical and emotional neglect distinctly influence adolescent development. • Physical neglect is linked with higher levels of depression in left-behind children. • Emotional neglect is linked with more depression and academic burnout in left-behind children. • Physical and emotional neglect impact development through separate mechanisms. • Enhancing left-behind children's sense of security and self-esteem may buffer the effects of neglect.