Abstract
BACKGROUND: High parental expectations are increasingly recognized as a risk factor for youth mental health, yet the mechanisms underlying this association remain understudied, particularly in contexts like China where academic and familial pressures are pronounced. Existing literature highlights links between parental expectations and psychological distress but lacks clarity on mediating pathways. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1,445 Chinese college students, using structural equation modeling (SEM). The model examined direct and indirect effects of parental expectations on psychological distress, with perceived stress and core self-worth as mediators, while controlling for co-variables. RESULTS: Parental expectations exhibited a substantial total effect on psychological distress (β = 0.216, p < 0.001). Direct effects accounted for 43% of this association (β = 0.093), while 57% operated indirectly through three pathways: (1) perceived stress alone (27.3% mediation, β = 0.059), (2) a sequential chain of heightened stress, reduced core self-worth, and exacerbated distress (22.7% mediation, β = 0.049), and (3) reduced core self-worth alone (7.0% mediation, β = 0.015). The dual-mediator model revealed how parental expectations trigger stress-driven erosion of self-worth and, independently, a direct erosion of self-worth, disproportionately affecting young adults. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the dual nature of parental expectations as both direct and cascading stressors. The study advances stress-appraisal theories by elucidating mechanisms through which external pressures from parental expectation internalize as psychological harm. Culturally tailored interventions should target stress resilience and core self-worth reinforcement. By addressing conditional acceptance and fostering autonomy, strategies can mitigate mental health risks tied to excessive parental demands. This research calls for policy and educational reforms to balance parental aspirations with children's well-being, emphasizing systemic support for marginalized youth.