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A Comparative Study of Behavior Problems among Left-Behind Children, Migrant Children and Local Children

Author

Listed:
  • Hongwei Hu

    (School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, No. 59, Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100872, China
    They are the co-first authors.)

  • Jiamin Gao

    (Institute of Population Research, Peking University, No. 5, Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, China)

  • Haochen Jiang

    (School of Humanities and Social Sciences, North China Electric Power University, No. 689, Huadian Road, Lianchi District, Baoding 071003, China)

  • Haixia Jiang

    (Institute of Population Research, Peking University, No. 5, Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, China
    They are the co-first authors.)

  • Shaoyun Guo

    (School of Humanities and Social Sciences, North China Electric Power University, No. 689, Huadian Road, Lianchi District, Baoding 071003, China)

  • Kun Chen

    (School of Humanities and Social Sciences, North China Electric Power University, No. 689, Huadian Road, Lianchi District, Baoding 071003, China)

  • Kaili Jin

    (School of Humanities and Social Sciences, North China Electric Power University, No. 689, Huadian Road, Lianchi District, Baoding 071003, China)

  • Yingying Qi

    (School of Humanities and Social Sciences, North China Electric Power University, No. 689, Huadian Road, Lianchi District, Baoding 071003, China)

Abstract

This study aims to estimate the prevalence of behavioral problems among left-behind children, migrant children and local children in China, and to compare the risks of behavioral problems among the three types of children. Data on 4479 children aged 6–16 used in this study were from a survey conducted in China in 2017. The school-age version of the Children Behavior Checklist was used to measure children’s behavioral problems. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and logistic regressions were conducted. The prevalence of behavioral problems was 18.80% and 13.59% for left-behind children and migrant children, respectively, both of which were higher than that of local children. Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustments for individual and environmental variables, the likelihood of total, internalizing and externalizing behavior problems for left-behind children and migrant children were higher than those for local children; left-behind children had a higher likelihood of internalizing problems than externalizing problems, while migrant children had a higher prevalence of externalizing problems. Left-behind children had a higher prevalence of each specific syndrome than migrant and local children. Both individual and environmental factors were associated with child behavioral problems, and family migration may contribute to the increased risks. Left-behind and migrant children were more vulnerable than local children to behavioral problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongwei Hu & Jiamin Gao & Haochen Jiang & Haixia Jiang & Shaoyun Guo & Kun Chen & Kaili Jin & Yingying Qi, 2018. "A Comparative Study of Behavior Problems among Left-Behind Children, Migrant Children and Local Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:655-:d:139100
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chang, Hongqin & Dong, Xiao-yuan & MacPhail, Fiona, 2011. "Labor Migration and Time Use Patterns of the Left-behind Children and Elderly in Rural China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(12), pages 2199-2210.
    2. Hu, Hongwei & Lu, Shuang & Huang, Chien-Chung, 2014. "The psychological and behavioral outcomes of migrant and left-behind children in China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 1-10.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Carlos Herruzo & Antonio Raya Trenas & María J. Pino & Javier Herruzo, 2020. "Study of the Differential Consequences of Neglect and Poverty on Adaptive and Maladaptive Behavior in Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Jing Luo & Jiaojiao Zou & Meimei Ji & Tong Yuan & Mei Sun & Qian Lin, 2019. "Emotional and Behavioral Problems Among 3- to 5-Year-Olds Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of Hunan Province: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-12, October.
    3. Jingjing Lu & Minmin Jiang & Lu Li & Therese Hesketh, 2019. "Relaxation in the Chinese Hukou System: Effects on Psychosocial Wellbeing of Children Affected by Migration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-9, October.
    4. Haoyang Zhang & Jennifer E. Glick, 2024. "Internal Migration: Understanding Parent–Child Differences in Educational Expectations," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 43(2), pages 1-26, April.
    5. Khatia Antia & Johannes Boucsein & Andreas Deckert & Peter Dambach & Justina Račaitė & Genė Šurkienė & Thomas Jaenisch & Olaf Horstick & Volker Winkler, 2020. "Effects of International Labour Migration on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Left-Behind Children: A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-17, June.
    6. Weigang Pan & Baixue Gao & Yihong Long & Yue Teng & Tong Yue, 2021. "Effect of Caregivers’ Parenting Styles on the Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Left-Behind Children: The Parallel Mediating Role of Self-Control," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Shaheen, Zubaida & Akhtar, Tanvir & Khan, Muhammad Waris Saeed, 2023. "Family functioning and behavioral problems among left-behind adolescent: Self-esteem as a mediator and mother nurturance as a moderator," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    8. Wenjie Duan & Xinhang Yu & Xiaoqing Tang, 2023. "“Humor A B C” Program: Specific Strength Intervention in Facilitating the Positive Development of Left-Behind Children," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1605-1624, April.
    9. Jinkai Li, 2023. "A Scoping Review of Internal Migration and Left-behind Children's Wellbeing in China," Papers 2305.04348, arXiv.org.
    10. Li, Fu-Wei & Jhang, Fang-Hua, 2023. "Controllable negative life events, family cohesion, and externalizing problems among rural and migrant children in China: A moderated mediation model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    11. Ruiqi Deng & Yifan Gao, 2024. "Practices and Barriers to Promoting Educational Equity for Migrant Children in China from the Perspective of a Local Government," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(3), pages 21582440241, August.
    12. Chi Zhou & Qiaohong Lv & Nancy Yang & Feng Wang, 2021. "Left-Behind Children, Parent-Child Communication and Psychological Resilience: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-10, May.
    13. Chen, Keyu & Zhang, Huiping, 2025. "The influence of parental involvement on the development of rural children: A comparative study of left-behind children and non-left-behind children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).

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