Self‐concept of left‐behind children in China: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

The aim of our study was to systematically review studies which had compared self-concept in left-behind children with the general population of children in China. Relevant studies about self-concept of left-behind children in China published from 2004 to 2014 were sought by searching online databases including Chinese Biological Medicine Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Vip Database, PubMed Database, Google Scholar and Web of Science. The methodological quality of the articles was assessed by using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Poled effect size and associated 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the random effects model. Cochrane's Q was used to test for heterogeneity and I(2) index was used to determine the degree of heterogeneity. Nineteen studies involving 7758 left-behind children met the inclusion criteria and 15 studies were included in a meta-analysis. The results indicated that left-behind group had a lower score of self-concept and more psychological problems than the control group. The factors associated with self-concept in left-behind children were gender, age, grade and the relationships with parents, guardians and teachers. Left-behind children had lower self-concept and more mental health problems compared with the general population of children. The development of self-concept may be an important channel for promoting mental health of left-behind children.

Psychotic-like experiences and associated socio-demographic factors among adolescents in China

“…Previous research found the "left-behind" children have lower self-concept and more mental health problems (He et al, 2012;Wang et al, 2014). However, no higher risk for PLEs, but depressive and negative experiences was found in our study.…”

“…They endure severe stress caused by migration of parents. Data from recent studies show that they are at greater risk for developing mental disorders (He et al, 2012;Wang et al, 2014). In regard to urbanization, studies have demonstrated that being raised in urban area confers a greater risk of psychiatric disorders (Pedersen and Mortensen, 2001;Peen et al, 2010).…”

Self‐concept in institutionalized children with disturbed attachment: The mediating role of exploratory behaviours

“…Findings are consistent with past research suggesting that children with disturbed attachment behaviour (Groze, ) and children not reared with their parents demonstrate poor self‐concept (Wang et al, ). Considering the empirical scarcity on self‐concept in children with disturbed attachment behaviour and given that virtually no known study has investigated institutionalized children, these findings contribute greatly to the attachment and self‐concept literature.…”

Research on Influencing Factors of Rural Children's Psychological Development in China

“…Shao conducted a questionnaire among 90 left-behind children in 2016 drew a conclusion that the left-behind children have certain psychological problems [2]. Wang and other researchers conducted a literature review concerning the self-concept of left-behind children in 2015 [3]. Zhang compared left-behind children with non-left-behind children by using mental health diagnosis and test as well as individual interviews in 2012 [4].…”