How parental migration affects early social–emotional development of left-behind children in rural China: a structural equation modeling analysis

Huifeng Shi (), Chunxia Zhao (), Yan Dou (), Xiaoqian Duan (), Lingyan Yang (), Yufeng Du (), Xiaona Huang (), Xiaoli Wang () and Jingxu Zhang ()
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Huifeng Shi: Peking University School of Public Health
Chunxia Zhao: UNICEF China
Yan Dou: Peking University School of Public Health
Xiaoqian Duan: Peking University School of Public Health
Lingyan Yang: Dalian University of Technology
Yufeng Du: Peking University School of Public Health
Xiaona Huang: UNICEF China
Xiaoli Wang: Peking University School of Public Health
Jingxu Zhang: Peking University School of Public Health

International Journal of Public Health, 2020, vol. 65, issue 9, No 22, 1721 pages

Abstract: Abstract Objectives This study assessed the early social–emotional development of left-behind children (LBC) in rural China and determined the mediating factors linking parental migration to LBC’s developmental outcome. Methods We used cross-sectional data of 845 LBC under 3 years old from five counties in rural China in 2018. Social–emotional problems were assessed by the ages and stages questionnaires: social–emotional. Family structure, function, and child nurturing care practices were measured to explore their roles in potential pathways of parental migration affecting early social–emotional development. Results 36.4% of LBC were identified with social–emotional problems; the rate was higher among LBC with migrant parents than those with migrant fathers (39.9% vs. 30.5%, adjusted OR: 1.40 [95% CI 1.01, 1.93]). Results of structural equation modeling reveal that caregivers’ low education and depressive symptoms, poor migrant–caregiver communication, family poverty, and no assistant caregiving weakened home parenting environment, and then contributed to LBC’s social–emotional problems. Conclusions LBC in early childhood may be at a high risk of social–emotional problems, which are primarily caused by the transition of family structure and function and consequently weakened home environment.

Keywords: Social–emotional development; Early childhood; Parental migration; Left-behind children; Rural China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01509-w

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