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Interaction status, victimization and emotional distress of left-behind children: A national survey in China

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  • Zhou, Yueyue
  • Cheng, Yulan
  • Liang, Yiming
  • Wang, Jiazhou
  • Li, Changning
  • Du, Weijing
  • Liu, Yufang
  • Liu, Zhengkui

Abstract

The problems of left-behind children in China have attracted widespread attention from researchers. However, previous empirical studies on left-behind children have mostly been based on small samples and small-scale surveys and have not covered all age groups. Whether left-behind children fare worse than their non-left-behind counterparts remains unknown. We conducted the first nationwide survey to examine whether left-behind children aged 0–6 years old have poorer interactions with primary caregivers and whether left-behind school-age children experience higher levels of victimization and emotional distress than their non-left-behind counterparts. A total of 25,297 children or primary caregivers from 27 counties in 12 provinces of China participated in our survey. The results indicated that left-behind children aged 3–6 years old had poorer interactions with primary caregivers and that left-behind school-age children experienced higher levels of victimization and emotional distress than their non-left-behind counterparts. Multiple linear regression analyses further found that being left behind was a significant predictor of interaction status, victimization and emotional distress. The present study provides important perspectives for improving the well-being of left-behind children, particularly regarding the need to focus on the quality of care, victimization and emotional distress of left-behind children.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhou, Yueyue & Cheng, Yulan & Liang, Yiming & Wang, Jiazhou & Li, Changning & Du, Weijing & Liu, Yufang & Liu, Zhengkui, 2020. "Interaction status, victimization and emotional distress of left-behind children: A national survey in China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:118:y:2020:i:c:s0190740920308100
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105348
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Huichen Gao & Shijuan Wang, 2022. "The Intellectual Structure of Research on Rural-to-Urban Migrants: A Bibliometric Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-19, August.

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