Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to examine psychological health of left-behind children (LBC), social support and rearing behavior towards LBC as well as their correlations in the city of Shaoxing, China.MethodsBy stratified sampling, 401 LBC and 527 non-left-behind children (NLBC) had completed the questionnaires in 2014. Spearman’s correlation was performed to clarify the relationship between psychological health, social support and rearing behavior in LBC. Multiple linear regression analytical methods were used to identify the variables that were associated with psychological health.ResultsCompared to NLBC, LBC got lower scores in psychological health, general social support, subjective support and emotional warmth, but higher in rejection. Psychological health was positively correlated with social support, and negatively with rearing behavior (rejection, overprotection) in LBC. It was also closely connected with the subjective support, rejection and general health status.ConclusionThese data show that LBC suffer significant impairment on psychological health, and receive less social support and worse rearing behavior than NLBC. Psychological health may be affected by subjective support, rejection, and general health status. Urgent government assessment and support from the community, school, mental health systems are warranted.
Highlights
The purpose of this study is to examine psychological health of left-behind children (LBC), social support and rearing behavior towards LBC as well as their correlations in the city of Shaoxing, China
Two primary schools and secondary schools were selected from each town, and two classes of students per grade, from grades four to nine (Since the questionnaire should be completed independently), were drawn in every school, including subsamples classified as LBC and non-left-behind children (NLBC)
Sociodemographic characteristics Data were obtained from 401 left-behind children and 527 non-left-behind children
Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine psychological health of left-behind children (LBC), social support and rearing behavior towards LBC as well as their correlations in the city of Shaoxing, China. Due to limitation of income level, housing conditions, urban educational policy and so on, many migrants are prone to leave their children in the countryside under the care of relatives and friends. These children are usually called “left-behind children” (LBC). Compared to non-left-behind children, due to their parents’ absence, LBC encountered more difficulties such as education interruption, nutrition deficiency and psychological confusion, and showed more psychological problems, less pro-social behaviors, greater communication difficulties like sensitivity, low self-esteem, proneness to violations and failure to comply disciplinary [4,5,6]. Shaoxing city, which locates in eastern China, has attracted a large number of migrant workers, especially in developed towns (Maan, Qianqing et al.). Some local farmers migrate to the bigger developed cities such as Shanghai, Kunming, Hangzhou and the like, especially from underdeveloped towns (Jidong, Wangtan et al.), looking for higher family income
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