Aim: To describe the self-concept and mental health status of 'stay-at-home' children and to explore the differences between stay-at-home children and non-stay-at-home children. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Changfeng County to collect information on self-concept and mental health status. Children were classified as 'stay-at-home' or 'non-stay-at-home' for data analysis. Results: Stay-at-home children accounted for 55.1% of children. The two groups of children differed significantly on the total scores of self-concept (stay-at-home, 52.48 ± 14.29; non-stay-at-home, 55.24 ± 15.10). The mental health status of stay-at-home children was poor, with significant difference between them (stay-at-home, 41.17 ± 12.25; non-stay-at-home, 40.14 ± 13.11). Using multivariate linear regression analysis, we found that the total P-H score, gender, low family economic status, stay-at-home status and being cared for by an uncle/aunt or an older sibling were independent variables for mental health of the children. Conclusion: This study suggests that stay-at-home children have a greater risk of mental health problems than their counterparts in rural Anhui province, China. In addition, this study provides useful baseline information on childhood mental health and has identified important risk factors that would be important in planning strategies for prevention of mental health problems for stay-at-home children. 相似文献
This study aimed to explore the development of psychological resilience and its associations with emotional and behavioral health among preschool left-behind children (LBC).
Methods
LBC in 26 preschools of Fuyang City, Hefei City, and Maanshan City of Anhui Province were included at baseline survey; and baseline children in the junior and middle classes of preschools as targeted samples were recruited for the 1-year follow-up. Multivariable linear regression models were performed to examine associations of psychological resilience with emotional and behavioral health.
Results
In total, 1463 LBC were included at baseline and 568 of the 905 targeted LBC completed the 1-year follow-up. Change patterns of psychological resilience were identified as the stable-high pattern (19.0%), increasing pattern (18.3%), declining pattern (15.9%), and stable-low pattern (46.8%). The results showed that psychological resilience at baseline was positively associated with later dietary behavior habits and prosocial behaviors, and negatively associated with later problematic behaviors and sleep problems. In addition, children with the declining pattern had more problematic behaviors and sleep problems, and fewer prosocial behaviors at follow-up. Children with the increasing pattern and stable-high pattern had more prosocial behaviors, better dietary behavior habits, and fewer problematic behaviors and sleep problems at follow-up.
Conclusions
The majority of preschool LBC had lower psychological resilience and its level among some LBC changed during the follow-up. Higher psychological resilience was a protective factor for emotional and behavioral health. Timely assessing psychological resilience and then strengthening it are needed to promote the emotional and behavioral health of preschool LBC.