Life History Strategy and Adult Attachment in Chinese College Students: The Mediating Role of Multidimensional Perceived Social Support and Moderating Effect of Urban-Rural Origin

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated how life history strategy (LHS) relates to adult attachment, including attachment avoidance (Avoid) and attachment anxiety (Anx), among Chinese college students, examining the mediating role of multidimensional perceived social support (PSS) and the moderating effect of urban-rural origin. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1,644 Chinese college students utilized the Life History Strategy Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale (measuring perceived teacher-classmate support [PTCS], perceived family support [PFS], and perceived friend support [PFR]) and Adult Attachment Scale. Results: PTCS and PFR mediated the LHS-Avoid association, while PFS mediated the LHS-Anx link. Urban-rural origin moderated the pathways from LHS to PTCS, PFS, PFR, and Avoid, but not the pathway to Anx. All the moderated associations were consistently stronger for urban-origin groups than those for rural-origin groups. Consequently, the mediating effects of PTCS and PFR on Avoid were more pronounced in urban-origin students, whereas the PFS mediation on Anx did not differ significantly between groups. At a faster LHS (M − 1SD), urban-origin students demonstrated higher Avoid, despite comparable PSS levels across groups. At a slower LHS (M + 1SD), urban-origin students exhibited higher PSS but lower Avoid compared to their rural-origin peers. Anx followed a pattern similar to Avoid. Conclusion: A slower LHS mitigates Avoid through enhanced PTCS and PFR, and reduces Anx via increased PFS. Urban-rural origin plays the significant moderating role. The findings reveal a complex interplay, suggesting that early urban environmental and cultural advantages are not universally positive, as they may intensify the negative consequences of maladaptive strategies. Conversely, early rural disadvantages may, to some extent, serve as a buffer.