How does parent–child attachment influence left‐behind children's loneliness and depression: The mediating roles of peer attachment and teacher–student relationship

Abstract Background Loneliness and depression are common emotional problems among left‐behind children, and these emotional problems may have a high correlation with attachment relationships. Aims This study aimed to investigate the effects of parent–child attachment on left‐behind children's loneliness and depression and the mediating roles of peer attachment and teacher–student relationship and their gender differences. Methods Using two waves of data, 614 left‐behind children participated in the longitudinal study by completing a series of relevant questionnaire two times (spaced 6 months). Results The results showed that (1) both father–child attachment and mother–child attachment could negatively predict the loneliness and depression of left‐behind children. Further, mother–child attachment has a greater predictive effect on loneliness. (2) Peer attachment played a mediating role in parent–child attachment and left‐behind children's loneliness; teacher–student relationship played a mediating role in parent–child attachment and left‐behind children's loneliness and depression. (3) The scores of girls were higher than those of boys in the four types of attachment relationships; the mediating role of teacher–student relationship between parent–child attachment and depression was significant only among boys. Conclusions This study explored the factors that may have impacts on left‐behind children's loneliness and depression as well as its potential mechanism and their gender differences based on the perspective of multiple‐attachment theory. These results emphasize the important role of close parent–child attachment in reducing loneliness and depression among left‐behind children, as well as the necessary mediating role of peer attachment and teacher–student relationships. These findings provide some valuable recommendations for preventing left‐behind children's loneliness and depression.