The impact of emotional neglect on internet addiction among left-behind adolescents in rural China: A moderated mediation model.

Background: Urbanization has led to a significant increase in left-behind adolescents in rural China, those aged 11 to 18 who remain in rural areas due to one or both parents migrating to cities for work for more than six months. Without parental support and guidance, those adolescents often face emotional neglect and develop internet addiction, which is associated with low parent-child closeness and high experiential avoidance. However, intentional self-regulation may serve as a protective factor against these adverse effects.