ISSN Print: 2472-9450  ISSN Online: 2472-9469
International Journal of Psychology and Cognitive Science  
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Family Risk and Promotive Factors for Chinese Adolescent Cognitive Development: A Moderated Mediation Model
International Journal of Psychology and Cognitive Science
Vol.7 , No. 1, Publication Date: Nov. 17, 2021, Page: 1-12
1452 Views Since November 16, 2021, 254 Downloads Since Nov. 16, 2021
 
 
Authors
 
[1]    

Wenxiao Fu, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, P.R. China.

[2]    

Fei Deng, School of Education, Xi’an International Studies University, Xi’an, P.R. China.

[3]    

Wenlong Zhao, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, P.R. China.

 
Abstract
 

Cognitive development is a matter of primary importance for Chinese adolescents. Over the past 70 years, family structure and function have changed dramatically and the implementation of the One-Child policy in China has been more than 30 years, which has undoubtedly had a profound impact on the cognitive development of adolescents. This study aims to examine whether the relationship between family risk and promotive factors and adolescent cognitive development is mediated by parental educational expectations and if these mediation effects are moderated by family size. Data were obtained from the China Education Panel Survey (n=14,737). Stata 14.0 and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed in this study. The results indicated that cumulative family risk and promotive factors had a significant direct and independent effect on Chinese adolescents’ cognitive development. In addition, Family promotive factors tend to be stronger predictors of adolescent’s cognitive development than family risk factors. Mediation analysis shown that parental educational expectations significantly mediated the association among family risk and promotive factors and cognitive development. Moderated mediation analysis also found that the association between parental educational expectation and cognitive development was moderated by family size. Based on the findings, the study indicates that interventions should focus on increasing the number of family promotive factors, enhancing parental educational expectations, and updating family planning policies.


Keywords
 

Cognitive Development, Cumulative Family Risk Factors, Cumulative Family Promotive Factors, Parental Educational Expectation, Family Size


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