The relationship between perceived social support and the number of injuries among left-behind children in the Chaoshan region, China: The chain-mediating role of self-esteem and psychological resilience

Abstract Background Left-behind children in China, who live without one or both parents due to migration, are highly susceptible to various physical and mental health issues, including injuries. The promotion of their well-being and the reduction of harm incidences depend on crucial factors such as social support, self-esteem, and resilience. However, the underlying mechanisms for achieving these goals remain unclear. Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate the chain-mediating effects of self-esteem and psychological resilience between perceived social support and the number of injuries experienced in the last year among left-behind children in order to establish a foundation for the development of effective injury prevention strategies. Methods The survey data for this study was collected from 1005 left-behind children in the Chaoshan region, China, between September 2019 and September 2020. The survey included the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire Revised 2 (JVQ R2), as well as the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, and Psychological Resilience Scale. Chain-Mediating effect was worked out by using AMOS structural equation model (SEM), and the significance of mediation was examined by bootstrap. Results (1) A linear regression analysis showed that perceived social support was positively correlated with self-esteem (r=0.25, P<0.01) and psychological resilience (r=0.45, P<0.01), and the number of injuries was negatively correlated with perceived social support (r=-0.13, P<0.01), self-esteem (r=-0.19, P<0.01) and psychological resilience (r=-0.24, P<0.01). (2) Social support was negatively predicted the number of injuries experienced in the last year. (3) Self-esteem and psychological resilience played a chain-mediating role between perceivedsocial support and the number of injuries. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that social support can reduce the risk of injury of left-behind children in the Chaoshan region, and indirectly reduce the risk of injury of left-behind children through the chain-mediating effect of self-esteem and psychological resilience. Thus, enhancing the perceived social support, self-esteem, and psychological resilience of left-behind children may promote their physical and mental well-being and lower their vulnerability to injuries.