Comparative Research Between Mental Health And Behavior Problems Of Left-behind Children And Those Of Non-left-behind Ones In Rural Areas

BackgroundAs the economies of China have been developing fast after the reform and open policy, a large number of surplus rural labors transferred to cities. However, due to the household registration system, education system, social security system and economic conditions, the minor children of these peasant laborers have been left in rural areas, generating a large-scale group of left-behind children (LBC). Childhood is a critical period of physical and mental development. There are problems of LBCs because of separated from one or both migrant parents, the incompleteness of family’s structure, the instability of the living environment, such as lack of parental care, cognitive bias, anomie of behavior. Concerned about the LBCs in rural areas, is not only an important guarantee for the promotion of economic development and construction of new countryside socialism, but also an inevitable requirement of build the socialist harmonious society. ObjectiveTo compare the difference of mental health status and behavior problems between left-behind children (LBC) and non-left-behind ones (non-LBC) in rural areas, to explore the effect of parental migration on mental health status and behavior problems of LBCs, and to offer interventions on how to improve the mental health and reduce the likelihood of behavioral problems among LBCs.MethodsThe study used a cross-sectional study design. A cluster sampling approach will be used to select participants of LBC and non-LBC in rural Kaihua(Zhejiang Province). Students from the5th year to the9th year of elementary education were included to our study, which led to an estimate of up to6,000students as the study population. Sources of the self-report survey questionnaire included several previous studies, expert opinion, and some structured instruments, such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ, the version for self-completion). In addition, our questionnaire draft was further modified according to a pilot survey in Kaihua in May2013. Questionnaires were administered in the classrooms by researchers and anonymity was assured. Epidata3.1was used to doubly input data, and SPSS20.0to conduct data analysis.Results1.47.79%of the5455sampling rural children were LBCs.2. The mental health problems of LBCs in rural Kaihua (Zhejiang Province) were more severe than non-LBCs.3. The potential factors influencing psychological problems of rural children are consisted of LBCs or not, gender, age and family economic status. The potential factor influencing psychological problems of LBCs is the age of the guardians.4. Although the probability of behavior problems in LBCs is higher than that in non-LBCs, after univariate analysis and logistic regression analyses found that the occurrence of these behavior problems had nothing to do with LBCs or not, except the behavior "Physically fight with people".5. The potential factors influencing of rural children are consisted of gender, age, family economic status, the pocket money and LBCs or not. The potential factor influencing behavior problems of LBCs are consisted of contact frequency between LBCs and their parents, the age and gender of the guardian.ConclusionThe mental health problems of LBCs in Zhejiang Province were more serious than non-LBCs, which require more attention. Solving this problem calls for the cooperation between family, school, and society.