Perceived Social Support Buffers the Associations of Household Chaos and Physical and Mental Health in rural Early Adolescents

Abstract

PurposePrevious studies have shown that early adolescents living in chaotic homes exhibit worse physical and mental health. However, the potential protective factors for the links between household chaos and early adolescents’ health are still unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether perceived social support moderates the associations among household chaos, physical health and mental health among Chinese rural early adolescents.MethodsPhysical health was measured by general health and allostatic load (AL). Mental health was reflected by depression and life satisfaction. Specifically, early adolescents (N =350; Mage =10.88 ±1.36 years) from Chinese rural counties reported their household chaos, perceived social support, general health, depression and life satisfaction. AL scores were measured by six physiological indices. Meanwhile, the adolescents’ parents reported their family income.ResultsThe results showed that household chaos was negatively correlated with adolescents’ general health and life satisfaction but positively correlated with depression. In addition, perceived social support moderated the link between household chaos and early adolescents’ health. Specifically, the negative associations among household chaos and general health, depression and life satisfaction were weaker among those who reported higher levels of perceived social support. In addition, adolescents’ AL was independent of household chaos, perceived social support and their interactions.ConclusionsHousehold chaos is a risk factor for physical and mental health among early adolescents living in rural China. Perceived social support mitigates risks to rural adolescents’ physical and mental health.