A latent profile analysis of social anxiety among Chinese left-behind children and adolescents: Associations with online parent-child communication and online social capital

Background: Children and adolescents impacted by their left-behind status are more likely to suffer social anxiety. In this regard, as information and communication technology has developed, the role of online parent-child communication (OPCC) and online social capital (OSC) has become more important. However, few studies, if any, have examined the profiles of Chinese left-behind children and adolescents and their associations with OPCC and OSC. Objective: First, to identify the profiles of social anxiety among Chinese left-behind children and adolescents by conducting latent profile analysis (LPA). Second, to determine associations between the profiles with OPCC, OSC, and three demographic factors (age, grade, and gender). Participants and setting: A sample of 1358 left-behind children and adolescents (mean age: 13.87; range: 8-19) was recruited in southwest China. Methods: LPA was used to analyze the sample for heterogeneity. Multinomial logistical regression analysis was adopted to assess the effectiveness of OPCC and the role of OSC. Results: Three subgroups emerged: (1) Low social anxiety (25.7 %), (2) Moderate social anxiety (53.3 %), and (3) High social anxiety (21.0 %). Using multinomial logistical regression, results showed a higher possibility for left-behind children and adolescents with more OPCC and OSC to fall into the high social anxiety group. Conclusions: Findings from the present study appear to contradict existing research, indicating that OPCC and OSC are negatively associated with the likelihood of falling into higher social anxiety, and it is necessary to address the importance of the quality of OPCC and the side effects of OSC in future research.