Parental investment, peer interaction, and children's depression: Evidence from nationally representative panel data...

Parental investment, defined as parental expenditure and effort aimed at promoting children's well-being, plays a crucial role in shaping children's developmental outcomes. It encompasses two main dimensions: time investment and material investment. Nevertheless, the direct influence of these different types of parental investment on childhood depression and the pathways through which this influence operates remain insufficiently understood. Utilizing a sample of 12,506 children from two waves (2013-2014 and 2014-2015) of the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS), this study investigates the distinct contributions of parental material and temporal investments to children's depression. Additionally, it explores the mediating functions of positive and negative peer interactions within these relationships. Results indicate that higher levels of both types of parental investment correspond with lower depression levels among children. Importantly, the association between parental investment and depression is partially explained by enhanced positive peer engagement and reduced negative peer involvement. These findings deepen the comprehension of familial and social dynamics affecting children's mental health and provide empirical guidance for developing targeted strategies to foster psychological resilience in childhood.