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Prevalence and Protective Factors of Psychological Distress among Left-behind Children in Rural China: A Study based on National Data

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Abstract

Objectives

Given the wide range of challenges left-behind children (LBC) currently experience in rural China and the limited understanding of protective factors to buffer this parent-child separation situation, the primary aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of and protective factors for psychological distress based on national data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) conducted in 2014.

Methods

We investigated the associations of individual- and family-related factors with psychological distress in a sample of LBC aged 10–15 using logistic regression. A total of 954 LBC were included in the study.

Results

Overall, 16.1% of LBC were considered to be psychologically distressed. However, the prevalence and level of the psychological distress varied within subgroups of LBC. LBC of primary school age were 1.70 times more likely to experience psychological distress than those of middle school age. Male LBC and LBC of primary school age showed significantly higher levels of psychological distress than their counterparts. With respect to protective factors, the results indicated that the likelihood of experiencing psychological distress significantly decreased with higher levels of self-esteem, academic performance, interpersonal relationships, positive parenting, and a higher level of education for the mother.

Conclusions

To reduce the likelihood of psychological distress of LBC, the findings suggest a need for offering self-esteem, academic, and interpersonal support for children. Recognizing that LBC will benefit from positive parenting and higher level of education of the mother is also important in promoting and expanding family services in practice.

Highlights

  • We examined risk and protective factors for psychological distress in left-behind children (LBC) ages 10–15 in China.

  • Prevalence of psychological distress was 16.1% and differed by sex and school.

  • Self-esteem, academic performance, and interpersonal relationships were individual protective factors for LBC psychological well-being.

  • Mother’s education and positive parenting act as family protective factors against psychological distress in LBC.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 17CSH019 and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under Grant No. N171401005. We also thank the Institute of Social Science Survey at Peking University for providing the data from CFPS 2014.

Author Contributions

The first author designed and executed the study, analyzed the data, and wrote the paper. The second author collaborated with the design and editing of the final manuscript.

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  1. School of Humanities and Law, Northeastern University, No. 195 Chuangxin Road, Hunan District, Shenyang, 110169, Liaoning, China

    Xiaoou Man & Haijun Cao

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  1. Xiaoou Man
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Correspondence to Xiaoou Man.

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Man, X., Cao, H. Prevalence and Protective Factors of Psychological Distress among Left-behind Children in Rural China: A Study based on National Data. J Child Fam Stud 29, 1274–1283 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-020-01703-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-020-01703-7

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