Associations between family structure and social-emotional development among school-aged children in mainland China

Abstract

This study examines the associations between family structure and social-emotional development among school-aged children in mainland China. Data were drawn from a survey administered in Tianjin, China, which included 431 single-parent and 544 two-parent samples. Overall, children from two-parent families scored significantly higher on measures of social-emotional development. However, these associated were attenuated when controlling for protective factors. The protective factors buffered the majority of effects in a mediation analysis. These findings provide direction for developing targeted social work policies and interventions.