The Influence of Negative Parenting Style on Mental Health among Chinese LGB: Based on Bifactor Model

Yan-Wen ZHANG Tour Liu

Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2020, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (5) : 1103-1110.

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PDF(1057 KB)
Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2020, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (5) : 1103-1110.

The Influence of Negative Parenting Style on Mental Health among Chinese LGB: Based on Bifactor Model

  • Yan-Wen ZHANG,Tour Liu
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Abstract

Studies on LGB (L=lesbian, G=gay, B=bisexual) have shown that both their living conditions and mental health are in poor. The biggest source of stress for LGB in China is different from those at in the West and parents play an important role in China. However, there is a little research on the relationship between LGB’s negative parenting style and their mental health in China. In addition, previous methods may be limited in that they only use single-dimensional constructs to measure negative parenting styles. In this study, we explored respectively the relationship of the father and mother negative parenting style (rejection and overprotection) and mental health (depression, anxiety and stress) among Chinese LGB on the basis of social-ecological perspective and multidimensional construct. Data for this study were collected through the website (www.sojump.com). The participants were recruited from Chinese Websites for LGB individuals, such as LGB forums, Dating software of LGB, the QQ groups and WeChat groups of LGB. Participants were completely voluntary and anonymous, and they could decline participation at any time. Participants whose scored 4 on the Kinsey Self-reporting Scale classified as bisexual individual, and which scored among the range of 4 to 7 were classified as gay and lesbian individual. The study sample included 649 LGB individuals, of which 253 (39.0%) were gay individuals and 255 (39.3%) lesbian individuals and 141 (21.7%) bisexual individuals. And participants’ age ranged from 16 to 35 years (M = 24.89, SD = 5.40). All scales used in this study were self-report. Negative parenting style were measured with short-Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran Questionnaires, which contains 26 items on a four-point Likert-type. Mental health was measured with the Chinese versions of The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21Questionnaire which consists of 21 items on a four-point Likert-type. All the measures have good reliability and validity. The following were the main findings in this study. (1) The Bifactor model of negative parenting style is reasonable in Chinese LGB, and the negative parenting styles of fathers and mothers are “much of a muchness”. (2) Bifactor model of negative parenting styles (negative parenting styles of fathers and negative parenting style of mothers) show that both the general factor of negative parenting style and rejection (B = .46, t = 10.71, p < .001; B = .44, t = 9.14, p < .001), one special factor, have negative effect on mental health in Chinese LGB (B = .24, t = 4.03, p < .001; B = .22, t = 3.11, p < .01), while overprotection, another special factor, have positive effect on mental health in Chinese LGB (B = -.19, t = -3.96, p < .001; B =- .18, t = -3.73, p < .001 ). In conclusion, the results make clear how negative parenting styles impacts LGB’s mental health. Firstly, the mental health problems of bisexual groups are more serious than homosexual groups in Chinses. Secondly, we should use multidimensional construct to build the model of negative parenting styles. Thirdly, negative parenting styles have important influence on mental health in Chinese LGB individuals. Last but not the least, there is a special phenomenon in Chinses LGB that the overprotection has protection effect on mental health.

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Yan-Wen ZHANG Tour Liu. The Influence of Negative Parenting Style on Mental Health among Chinese LGB: Based on Bifactor Model[J]. Journal of Psychological Science. 2020, 43(5): 1103-1110
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