The independent and joint associations of community space environmental satisfaction, and parents’ educational attainment with psychological symptoms among Chinese adolescents

Background The prevalence of psychological symptoms among Chinese adolescents remains high, negatively impacting their academic performance and future achievements. Previous research has paid relatively little attention to the association between community space environment and parents’ educational attainment and psychological symptoms. This study may provide valuable insights and guidance for the prevention and intervention of psychological symptoms among Chinese adolescents. Methods Using a stratified cluster sampling across six regions of China to assess the community spatial environment, parents’ educational attainment, and psychological symptoms. Chi-square tests, t -tests, and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the associations between the community spatial environment and parents’ educational attainment and psychological symptoms. Results The prevalence of psychological symptoms among Chinese adolescents is 21.2%. The rate is higher among boys (22.1%) than among girls (20.4%), and this difference is statistically significant ( χ 2 = 21.055, p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that, with adolescents in the group reporting “Satisfied” with community space environmental satisfaction and “University degree or above” for parents’ educational attainment serving as the reference group, adolescents in the group reporting “Not satisfied” with community space environmental satisfaction and “Junior high school and below” for parents’ educational attainment had the highest risk of developing psychological symptoms (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.81–2.30) ( p < 0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of psychological symptoms among Chinese adolescents is relatively high, with boys exhibiting a higher prevalence than girls. There are independent and joint associations between satisfaction with the community environment and both parents’ educational attainment and adolescents’ psychological symptoms. Improving the community environment and increasing parents’ educational attainment may reducing psychological symptoms among adolescents.