Does Parent–Child Separation in Childhood Influence Individuals' Depressive Symptoms in Emerging Adulthood? The Roles of Sympathetic Nervous System Activity and Beliefs About Adversity.

This article examines the long-term impact of the duration of parent–child separation in childhood on depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood, focusing on the moderating roles of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity and beliefs about adversity. Using a sample of 215 Chinese college students, the study found that longer parent–child separation was associated with higher depressive symptoms, with this relationship influenced by individual differences in baseline skin conductance level (SCLB), skin conductance level reactivity (SCLR), beliefs about adversity, and gender. Specifically, positive beliefs about adversity and SNS activity interacted to buffer or exacerbate depressive symptoms, while the moderating effect of SCLR varied between males and females. These findings highlight the complex interplay of biological, cognitive, and environmental factors in the mental health outcomes of young adults who experienced parental migration-related separation during childhood.