A control study on mental health of migrant children in Changsha

Abstract

Objective To assess the mental health of the migrant children in Changsha. Methods According to the residency registration and gender proportion,using a random number table to sample,migrant children (n=231) and urban children (n=231) were selected from children aged 8-12 years in grade 3 to 6 from a primary school in Changsha.The Child Behaviour Checklist,Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED),Depression Self Rating Scale for Children (DSRSC),Children′s Self-concept Scale (CSCS) and Egna Minnen Betraffande Uppfostran (EMBU) were used to assess the mental health of subjects.Chi-square analysis,nonparametric test and multiple linear regression were used to analyze data. Results (1) Compared to the urban children,migrant children had significantly higher median scores of social withdrawal (2.00 vs.1.00,Z=-3.443,P=0.001),attention problems (3.00 vs.2.00,Z=-2.309,P=0.021),internalizing problems (4.00 vs.2.00,Z=-2.139,P=0.032) and the total problems (13.50 vs.11.00,Z=-2.125,P=0.034) with lower median scores of school (5.00 vs.5.00,Z=-4.304,P=0.000),social (7.00 vs.8.00,Z=-4.046,P=0.000) and social competence (17.33 vs.18.80,Z=-3.294,P=0.001). (2) The median scores of the migrant children were significantly higher for somatic/panic (3.00 vs.2.00,Z=-4.017,P=0.000),generalized anxiety (4.00 vs.3.00,Z=-2.178,P=0.029),school phobia (1.00 vs.0,Z=-3.120,P=0.002),total anxiety (17.00 vs.14.00,Z=-3.189,P=0.001) and depression (11.00 vs.9.00,Z=-4.413,P=0.000) than that of the urban children. (3) The migrant children had significantly lower median scores of behavioral adjustment (13.00 vs.14.00,Z=-3.283,P=0.001),intellectual and school status (10.00 vs.12.00,Z=-4.778,P=0.000),physical appearance and attributes (7.00 vs.9.00,Z=-4.472,P=0.000),freedom from anxiety (10.00 vs 11.00,Z=-2.596,P=0.009),popularity (9.00 vs.9.00,Z=-3.033,P=0.002),happiness and satisfaction (8.00 vs.8.00,Z=-3.561,P=0.000) and total score (57.00 vs.62.00,Z=-4.465,P=0.000) than the control. (4) Compared to the urban children,migrant children scored significantly lower median in parental emotional warmth (48.00 vs.53.00,Z=-4.090,P=0.000; 53.00 vs.59.00,Z=-4.884,P=0.000),involvement (18.00 vs.19.00,Z=-2.074,P=0.038;33.00 vs.34.50,Z=-2.109,P=0.035) and favoring subjects (10.00 vs.12.00,Z=-3.586,P=0.000; 10.00 vs.12.00,Z=-4.067,P=0.000). Conclusions The migrant children in Changsha may have significant behavioral and emotional problems compared to their counterparts in the city,and their social,school achievements are poor,social competence is less competent. Key words: Behavior; Emotions; Parenting; Transients and migrants; Self-concept