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Examining the Relation between Caregiver Mental Health and Student Outcomes in Rural China

Author

Listed:
  • Huan Wang

    (Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305-6055, USA)

  • Claire Cousineau

    (Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305-6055, USA)

  • Yuwei Adeline Hu

    (Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305-6055, USA)

  • Grace Hu

    (Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305-6055, USA)

  • Sunny Qi

    (Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305-6055, USA)

  • Adrian Sun

    (Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305-6055, USA)

  • Helen Wu

    (Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305-6055, USA)

  • Scott Rozelle

    (Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305-6055, USA)

  • Manpreet Singh

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Child Development, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305-5719, USA)

Abstract

Research continues to highlight the central relationship between caregivers’ mental health and their children’s development. This study examined the relation between primary caregivers’ mental health and school-aged children’s outcomes, including student mental health, resilience, and academic performance, in rural China. Using cross-sectional data from economically poor areas in the Gansu province, 2989 students (mean age = 11.51, 53.33% male, 46.67% female) and their primary caregivers (74.2% female) completed the 21-item, self-report Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Students also completed the 25-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and a standardized math test. The results indicated a high prevalence of caregiver depression (31%), stress (39%), and anxiety (24%). Characteristics that were significantly correlated with caregiver mental health issues included being a grandparent, having a low socioeconomic status and low education level, and living in a household with at least one migrant worker. Apart from caregiver stress and student resilience, caregiver mental health issues were negatively correlated with all student outcomes, including student mental health, resilience, and academic performance. Although additional empirical research is needed to investigate the associations between caregiver mental health and student outcomes, our results suggest that rural communities could benefit greatly from programs focused on improving the mental health of caregivers and this, in turn, may have a positive impact on student outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Huan Wang & Claire Cousineau & Yuwei Adeline Hu & Grace Hu & Sunny Qi & Adrian Sun & Helen Wu & Scott Rozelle & Manpreet Singh, 2021. "Examining the Relation between Caregiver Mental Health and Student Outcomes in Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12613-:d:691471
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Siqi Zhang & Ruirui Dang & Ning Yang & Yu Bai & Lei Wang & Cody Abbey & Scott Rozelle, 2018. "Effect of Caregiver’s Mental Health on Early Childhood Development across Different Rural Communities in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-25, October.
    2. Janneke Pieters & Samantha Rawlings, 2020. "Parental unemployment and child health in China," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 207-237, March.
    3. Wang, Huan & Yang, Chu & He, Fei & Shi, Yaojiang & Qu, Qinghe & Rozelle, Scott & Chu, James, 2015. "Mental health and dropout behavior: A cross-sectional study of junior high students in northwest rural China," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1-12.
    4. Siqi Zhang & Lei Wang & Yue Xian & Yu Bai, 2020. "Mental Health Issues among Caregivers of Young Children in Rural China: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Links to Child Developmental Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Yu-ting Kang & Yan Yao & Jing Dou & Xin Guo & Shu-yue Li & Cai-ning Zhao & Hong-zhi Han & Bo Li, 2016. "Prevalence and Risk Factors of Maternal Anxiety in Late Pregnancy in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-11, May.
    6. Chang, Fang & Jiang, Yuxi & Loyalka, Prashant & Chu, James & Shi, Yaojiang & Osborn, Annie & Rozelle, Scott, 2019. "Parental migration, educational achievement, and mental health of junior high school students in rural China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 337-349.
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