Search results

An increasing number of people are migrating within the borders of China. Some migrants have to leave their children behind, and 58,000,000 children are estimated to be living as left‐behind children. Earlier studies have found severe mental problems in left‐behind children, but different factors could influence their mental health. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mental health of these left‐behind children and to determine possible influencing factors.

Data for this study were collected in one province of the People's Republic of China with a validated instrument, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), to investigate behavior in 13‐to‐15‐year old children.

No significant difference was found in total difficulty score and in any subscale score of SDQ when left‐behind children were compared with children who were not left behind. A significant difference in emotional difficulty subscale score was found between girls who were left behind and girls who were not. Some socio‐economic factors such as poor family economy and living with relatives, friends or grandparents, were identified as risk factors.

When strategies for support of the mental health in left‐behind children are developed, they will need to be individualized according to the gender, social and economic situation and focused on emotional and conduct problems.

Due to social transformation in China, more than 100,000,000 people are migrating within the country. Many parents are forced to leave their children behind when they migrate. In 2008, 58,000,000 children were living as left‐behind children, mainly in the rural parts of China (Zhang, 2009).Migration and its accompanying stressors may affect the mental health of the left‐behind children. This unique literature review of Chinese literature summarises the present state of knowledge and reviews the influential factors. Possible approaches to intervention and system reforms are discussed.A literature review was performed of published studies between 2001 and 2008. Databases used were Fujian Medical University Library Interface, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and VIP Information. The Chinese word for ‘left‐behind’ was used as a key word. Books, book chapters, monographs and studies on caring were searched electronically and by hand. Altogether, 53 items were found, discussed and grouped together. Migration affected the mental health of the left‐behind children in a passive way, especially their emotions and social behaviour.There is still controversy over how serious mental health problems are among children who have been left behind. Life events, personality, coping strategies and social suppor t can be regarded as four main factors that are predictive of mental health, which provides theoretical guidance for intervention. Suppor t and prevention of mental health problems in schools, in families and in primary care should be developed and studied.