Negative Parenting and Negative Academic Emotions Among Vocational High School Students: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Authors

Wenbo Du, Chenlei Wang, Lijin Wang, Dongliang Jiao

Published in

Psychology research and behavior management. Volume 19. Pages 639208. Epub Oct 28, 2026.

Abstract

Negative academic emotions are significantly associated with the academic achievement and mental health of vocational high school students. The family environment plays a critical role, yet the mechanisms through which specific parenting practices influence these emotions require further clarification. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in the relationship between negative parenting and negative academic emotions, and the moderating role of peer attachment.
Using a convenience sampling method, total of 1384 vocational high school students from Hebei Province, China participated in this cross-sectional study; questionnaires were administered to students in their intact classes. The study used the following instruments: the Negative Parenting subscale from the Questionnaire of Parenting Style, the Internet Gaming Disorder Diagnostic Criteria Scale, the Peer Attachment subscale of the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, and the Academic Emotions Questionnaire.
After controlling for gender, negative parenting was positively correlated with both IGD and negative academic emotions, and negatively correlated with peer attachment. IGD was positively correlated with negative academic emotions and negatively correlated with peer attachment. Peer attachment was negatively correlated with negative academic emotions. IGD partially mediated the relationship between negative parenting and negative academic emotions (ab = 0.15, BootSE = 0.01, 95% BootCI [0.12, 0.17], accounting for 29.9% of the total effect). Furthermore, peer attachment moderated the first half of this mediation pathway, specifically weakening the positive relationship between negative parenting and IGD (β = -0.08, 95% CI [-0.13, -0.02]).
Negative parenting is associated with negative academic emotions both directly and indirectly through the elevated IGD levels. Peer attachment functions as a protective factor, buffering the adverse impact of negative parenting on IGD. These findings underscore the importance for parents to adopt positive parenting practices and for schools to foster supportive peer relationships to mitigate IGD and alleviate negative academic emotions among vocational students.

PMID:
42968945
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 02 Nov 2026.

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