Longitudinal Associations between Campus Exclusion, Experiential Avoidance and Depression among Chinese Adolescents: Disentangling Between- and Within‑Person Effects

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Longitudinal Associations between Campus Exclusion, Experiential Avoidance and Depression among Chinese Adolescents: Disentangling Between- and Within‑Person Effects
Language: English
Authors: Min Rao (ORCID 0009-0005-8176-126X), Qi Dai (ORCID 0009-0006-1060-6710), Fan Li (ORCID 0009-0003-4887-5631), Baojuan Ye
Source: Journal of Adolescence. 2026 98(4):1097-1107.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Adolescents, Student Attitudes, Psychological Patterns, Social Isolation, Depression (Psychology), Correlation, Predictor Variables, Anxiety, Program Design, Prevention, Intervention, Mental Health, Inclusion
Geographic Terms: China
DOI: 10.1002/jad.70120
ISSN: 0140-1971
1095-9254
Abstract: Introduction: Previous studies have found a significant association between campus exclusion and depression, yet the directionality and underlying mechanisms of this relationship remain unclear. This study examined the longitudinal relationship between campus exclusion and depression, as well as the mediating role of experiential avoidance between the two. Methods: Our study aims to examine the longitudinal reciprocal relationships among these variables using the cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) and random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM). A total of 589 Chinese adolescents (50.9%girls; M[subscript age] = 12.82; SD = 0.92) completed self-reported questionnaires containing measurements of studied variables thrice, using 4-month intervals. Results: The results of CLPM models showed a bidirectional relationship between campus exclusion and depression, and that experiential avoidance was a mediating mechanism for these relationships. The results of RI-CLPM models showed that at the between-person level, the random intercepts of campus exclusion, experiential avoidance, and depression all significantly correlated with each other. At the within-person level, T1 campus exclusion positively predicted T2 experiential avoidance and T2 depression. T1 and T2 experiential avoidance positively predicted T2 and T3 campus exclusion. Moreover, T2 experiential avoidance positively predicted T3 depression, while T2 depression also positively predicted T3 experiential avoidance. Conclusion: These findings reveal a vicious cycle of mutual influence between campus exclusion, experiential avoidance, and depression, highlighting the significance of distinguishing between-person and within-person effects in order to design prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing the incidence of depression during adolescence.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1508031
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Introduction: Previous studies have found a significant association between campus exclusion and depression, yet the directionality and underlying mechanisms of this relationship remain unclear. This study examined the longitudinal relationship between campus exclusion and depression, as well as the mediating role of experiential avoidance between the two. Methods: Our study aims to examine the longitudinal reciprocal relationships among these variables using the cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) and random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM). A total of 589 Chinese adolescents (50.9%girls; M[subscript age] = 12.82; SD = 0.92) completed self-reported questionnaires containing measurements of studied variables thrice, using 4-month intervals. Results: The results of CLPM models showed a bidirectional relationship between campus exclusion and depression, and that experiential avoidance was a mediating mechanism for these relationships. The results of RI-CLPM models showed that at the between-person level, the random intercepts of campus exclusion, experiential avoidance, and depression all significantly correlated with each other. At the within-person level, T1 campus exclusion positively predicted T2 experiential avoidance and T2 depression. T1 and T2 experiential avoidance positively predicted T2 and T3 campus exclusion. Moreover, T2 experiential avoidance positively predicted T3 depression, while T2 depression also positively predicted T3 experiential avoidance. Conclusion: These findings reveal a vicious cycle of mutual influence between campus exclusion, experiential avoidance, and depression, highlighting the significance of distinguishing between-person and within-person effects in order to design prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing the incidence of depression during adolescence.
ISSN:0140-1971
1095-9254
DOI:10.1002/jad.70120