Emotional and Behavioral Problems Among 3- to 5-Year-Olds Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of Hunan Province: A Cross-Sectional Study

Jing Luo, Jiaojiao Zou, Meimei Ji, Tong Yuan, Mei Sun and Qian Lin
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Jing Luo: Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
Jiaojiao Zou: Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
Meimei Ji: Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
Tong Yuan: Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
Mei Sun: School of Nursing Central South University, 172 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
Qian Lin: Department of Nutrition Science and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-12

Abstract: The term left-behind children (LBC) refers to underage children who have been separated from their father/mother or parents for a long period of time. At present, there are few studies on the emotional and behavioral problems of three- to five-year-old LBC in poor rural areas of China. In this study, random cluster sampling was used to recruit caregivers of left-behind children (CLBC) aged three to five years in two poor rural areas in Hunan Province. General demographic data of LBC and their caregivers were collected via face-to-face questionnaires. Children’s emotional and behavioral problems were assessed by the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Among 557 LBC, the prevalence of a total difficulties score in an abnormal/borderline range was 27.6–50.6%. The most common problem of LBC was hyperactivity, with a rate of 33.6%. Compared with boys, girls had more emotional problems ( p < 0.05) and fewer hyperactivity disorders ( p < 0.01). Factors related to the emotional and behavioral problems of LBC were the LBC’s age, the number of sick people at home, and the CLBC’s willingness to take care of the LBC. The detection rate of emotional and behavioral problems of three- to five-year-old LBC in poor rural areas is higher than that of children of the same age in urban areas and Western developed countries. There were gender differences in hyperactivity and emotional symptoms. Poor care will increase the risk of children’s emotional and behavioral abnormalities.

Keywords: left-behind children; preschool left-behind children; emotional and behavioral problems; caregiver; rural area; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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