Associations between parental psychological control and negative emotions in early adolescents: a moderated mediation model

Introduction Previous research on negative emotions has primarily focused on middle and high school students. Based on the cumulative risk model framework, this study targeting early adolescents integrates parental psychological control, peer rejection and aggressive behavior to investigate their associations with negative emotions, while also examining the protective moderation of awe of life. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1,163 early adolescents (M age = 11.28 ± 0.80 years) completed self-report measures: the Parental Psychological Control Scale, Peer Rejection Scale, Aggressive Behavior Scale, and Awe of Life Scale. A moderated mediation model was tested to examine the mechanisms underlying the association between parental psychological control and negative emotions. Results (1) Parental psychological control was significantly positively correlated with peer rejection, aggressive behavior, and negative emotions. (2) Parental psychological control showed a direct positive association with negative emotions (β = 0.179, p < 0.001), accounting for 31.57% of the total association. (3) Parental psychological control was associated with negative emotions through the serial mediation of peer rejection and aggressive behavior. The mediating pathways via peer rejection (β = 0.144, p < 0.001), aggressive behavior (β = 0.124, p < 0.001), and the serial mediation pathway (β = 0.120, p < 0.001) accounted for 25.40%, 21.87%, and 21.16% of the total association, respectively. (4) Awe of life significantly moderated only the direct association, with this association being more pronounced under low levels of awe. Discussion The chained accumulation of family, peer, and individual risk factors constitutes a core mechanism underlying negative emotions, with parental psychological control emerging as the primary influencing factor. Awe of life, meanwhile, provides buffering protection by moderating the direct pathway. Systemic disruption of this risk accumulation process can be achieved by reducing parental psychological control, improving peer relationships, and cultivating awe of life. These insights offer actionable strategies for families and educators to design targeted interventions aimed at enhancing mental health in early adolescence.