Abstract
BackgroundOne in seven members of China’s population are migrants. There are an estimated 41 million children left behind in rural areas who are living without one or both of their parents. The impact of two- and single-parent migration on child mental health and risk behaviors is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the mental health and risk behaviors among children whose parents are either both migrating (B-LBC), have one parent migrating (O-LBC) or those whose parents do not migrate (N-LBC).MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire conducted in rural areas with high proportions of left behind children (LBC) in Anhui Province, southeast China. The tools used were the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires, Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the Young’s Internet Addiction Test for Chinese.ResultsFull data were available for 699 B-LBC, 552 O-LBC and 741 N-LBC. After adjusting for gender, age, grade, number of siblings and self-rated socio-economic status, B-LBC were significantly more likely to have higher emotional symptoms scores (B(SE) = 0.36(0.11), p < 0.01), higher hyperactivity scores (B(SE) = 0.22(0.11), p < 0.01) and higher total difficulties scores (B(SE) = 0.79(0.29), p < 0.01) than N-LBC. B-LBC were also more likely to be an addicted internet user (OR(95%CI) = 1.91(1.33, 2.76), p < 0.01) compared to N-LBC. However, there were no identified differences between O-LBC and N-LBC or between O-LBC and B-LBC in any measures.ConclusionsOur findings found that living with one parent or both parents was associated with better mental health and fewer risk behaviors than was being separated from both parents. Future research is needed to consider the implications of these findings for policies and programs to protect LBC, especially for those with two migrating parents.
Highlights
One in seven members of China’s population are migrants
In regards to household wealth, nearly one-fifth of O-left behind children (LBC) reported that they were from wealthier households, whereas the respective proportions for left-behind children with both parents migrating (B-LBC) and neither parents had migrated (N-LBC) were 27.8% and 28%
The results of this study indicate that 13.2% of B-LBC and 11.3% of left-behind children with one parent migrating (O-LBC) fall into the “abnormal” total difficulties category, this should be of great concern, given that such psychological difficulties are not well identified
Summary
One in seven members of China’s population are migrants. There are an estimated 41 million children left behind in rural areas who are living without one or both of their parents. Many workers originating from developing countries have relocated in search of better employment opportunities and other sources of income, migrating either internationally or internally within their home country (e.g., rural–urban migration). The majority of these migrants are employed in low-skilled jobs and living in poor conditions. Parents who migrate for work may increase family income and offer better education opportunities for their children, but parental absences may decrease care and stimulation, leading to a range of psychological and developmental risks [5, 6]. Previous studies have found that parental migration is a factor strongly related to depression and anxiety [7,8,9,10,11,12], loneliness [13, 14], low quality of life [15], low self-esteem [16], suicidal ideation and a range of behavioral problems [17,18,19,20]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
