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Left-Behind Children, Parent-Child Communication and Psychological Resilience: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

Author

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  • Chi Zhou

    (Medical School, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China)

  • Qiaohong Lv

    (Department of Health Education, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China)

  • Nancy Yang

    (Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Feng Wang

    (School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China)

Abstract

This study aims to examine the role of parental migration status and parent communication in the psychological and related behavioral status of left-behind children and their psychological resilience. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Anhui Province of China, and a questionnaire survey was conducted with 1992 teens using the Chinese version of the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale (PACS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ). Compared with the never left-behind group, left behind children had relatively lower PACS, CD-RISC and SDQ scores. Absence of parents is related with poorer psychological resilience, while good parent communication is related with better psychological resilience. Better psychological resilience is related to fewer psychological problems regardless of parental migration status. Currently left-behind status demonstrated a negative influence on psychological resilience, while never left-behind status had a positive effect. Interventions are needed to enhance psychological resilience of left-behind children to prevent psychological and related behavioral problems.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:10:p:5123-:d:552993
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chunhai Gao & Endale Tadesse & Sabika Khalid, 2022. "Word of Mouth from Left-Behind Children in Rural China: Exploring Their Psychological, Academic and Physical Well-being During COVID-19," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(5), pages 1719-1740, October.
    2. Ruifeng Tan & Huimin Fang & Suiqing Chen, 2023. "The Development of Emotion Understanding among Five- and Six-Year-Old Left-Behind Children in Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-10, February.
    3. Xiaoou Man & Jiatong Liu & Yutong Bai, 2021. "The Influence of Discrepancies between Parents’ Educational Aspirations and Children’s Educational Expectations on Depressive Symptoms of Left-Behind Children in Rural China: The Mediating Role of Sel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, November.

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