Parenting Identity and Parental Mental Health in Chinese Parents in Mainland China

Authors

Zhenqiao Yang, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Yan Xia

Second Advisor

Patty Kuo

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Committee Members

Soo-Young Hong

Department

Child, Youth & Family Studies

Date of this Version

7-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Citation

A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Major: Human Sciences (Child Development/Early Childhood Education)

Under the supervision of Professors Yan Ruth Xia and Patty Kuo

Lincoln, Nebraska, July 2024

Comments

Copyright 2024, Zhenqiao Yang. Used by permission

Abstract

In the modern context of mainland China, parents of young children face unique parenting stressors, making parental mental health during the early stages of parenting a significant public concern. Increasing awareness of the role of self-concepts in mental health underscores the importance of exploring the relationships between parenting identity concepts, parenting stress, parental mental health, and familial factors. This study aims to examine the relationship between parenting identity and parental mental health, specifically depression and anxiety, in the context of early childhood parenting stress. Data were collected from 456 parents at four daycare centers and public spaces in an Eastern province of mainland China. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the research hypotheses. The results revealed that parenting stress and the commitment process of parenting identity uniquely predicted parental mental health. The salience of the parenting identity moderated the influence of the exploration processes of parenting identity (i.e., in-depth exploration and reconsideration of commitment) on parental depression, but not anxiety. Correlations between parenting identity processes and parental stress were stronger in the current sample compared to Western research literature, indicating the possible influence of cultural context. The findings highlight the novelty of integrating different identity concepts from various theoretical frameworks, the complex interplay between psychological, cognitive, and familial factors in contributing to mental health, and the significance of employing a processual perspective to disentangle relationships at the micro-psychological level. Practical implications based on the current results were also discussed.

Advisors: Yan Ruth Xia and Patty Kuo

Recommended Citation

Yang, Zhenqiao, "Parenting Identity and Parental Mental Health in Chinese Parents in Mainland China" (2024). Dissertations and Doctoral Documents from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–. 159.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissunl/159