Does Parent–Child Separation in Childhood Influence Individuals’ Depressive Symptoms in Emerging Adulthood? The Roles of Sympathetic Nervous System Activity and Beliefs About Adversity

Childhood separation may have a long-term impact on individuals’ depressive symptoms when they enter emerging adulthood. However, the biological and cognitive protective factors that could buffer the negative effect of parent–child separation remain unclear. In this study, 215 young adults ( M_age = 18.46 years, SD = 0.69, 40% male) were selected as participants to examine the association between duration of parent–child separation in childhood and depressive symptoms and to investigate the moderating roles of sympathetic nervous system activity and beliefs about adversity in this relationship. Results revealed that duration of parent–child separation and beliefs about adversity were associated with young adults’ depressive symptoms. Sympathetic nervous system activity moderated the association between duration of parent–child separation and young adults’ depressive symptoms, and this moderation varied by beliefs about adversity and gender. These findings have significant implications for future research and development of interventions for young adults with parent–child separation experience.