Work

Gender differences in the pathways linking parental psychological control, emotion regulation, and psychological distress among university students with smartphone addiction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This research investigated gender disparities in parental psychological control and psychological distress among 1,276 Chinese undergraduates utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling. Paternal psychological control had a positive correlation with reappraisal in males (t(male) = 3.420; P = 0.001 < 0.05), whereas no such correlation was observed in females (t(female) = 0.276; P = 0.783 > 0.05). Gender significantly mitigated this connection (Difference(male-female) = 0.298; P = 0.014 < 0.05). The mediating effect of reappraisal on the relationship between paternal psychological control and psychological distress was significant for males but not for females (Difference(male-female) = 0.297; P = 0.006 < 0.05). No significant gender differences were observed in maternal psychological control or inhibition (P > 0.05). The findings endorse gender-sensitive models and highlight the need for interventions targeting parenting practices and emotional regulation, such as parental guidance programs and cognitive-behavioral training to strengthen adaptive regulation strategies.

Source: International Journal of Adolescence and Youth

DOI: 10.1080/02673843.2025.2590306

Authors: Liu Xu, Zarinah Arshat, Nellie Ismail, Shi Lulu

Institutions: Universiti Putra Malaysia, Xinxiang University, Weifang University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,226