Social adaptation of Chinese left-behind children: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BackgroundExisting literature shows several discrepancies between left-behind children (LBC) and non-left-behind children (NLBC) in social adaptation. The role of gender among LBC was widely investigated, reporting different perspectives. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis is to examine these inconsistencies and to investigate how these factors affect social adaptation in a Chinese sample. MethodsLiterature search was conducted on PubMed (Medline), OVID, Web of Knowledge, CNKI, Wan fang and Chongqing VIP database without language/date/type of document restrictions until August 11, 2018. The Software Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0 with the Random effects model was used to compare all the selected articles. Moreover, study quality was assessed with a checklist, while sensitivity analysis was performed after having removed graduate thesis, in order to test the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 13studies met study criteria with 7368LBC and 8894NLBC.LBC scored significantly lower in social adaptation with evidence of true heterogeneity. Sensitivity results and subgroup analysis indicated the robustness of the results. There was no difference between left-behind boys and left-behind girls. ConclusionCompared with NLBC, LBC had lower social adaptability. Studies with higher quality are needed to example factors such as scales, region and age of LBC and future research should focus on how to improve social adaptation of LBC.PROSPERO Registry: Systematic review registration no.: CRD42018106433.