Does Parental Migration Affect Left-Behind Children’s Social Anxiety?A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Social anxiety is a common psychological problem among left-behind children(LBC)and has been a popular issue in recent years.Children with higher levels of social anxiety have more emotional and behavioral problems and are prone to negative life events.Although several studies have explored the differences in social anxiety between LBC and non-left-behind children(N-LBC),the findings have not been consistent.In this study,a systematic review and meta-analysis method was used,with 411 papers retrieved on October 01,2023,from Pubmed,Embase,Web of Science,and Chinese databases(CNKI,VIP,and Wanfang)(PROSPERO registry number:CRD42023472463).Twenty-one studies met the research criteria and included 11,254 LBC and 13,096 N-LBC.LBC scored significantly higher for social anxiety([WMD(95%CI):0.35[0.23,0.48],p<0.001])and social avoidance and distress([WMD(95%CI):0.35[0.23,0.48],p<0.001]).Subgroup analyses showed significant differences in effect sizes for the overall proportion of children left behind(p=0.02).In addition,different types of parental migration may influence the social anxiety of LBC,double-parent migration was associated higher social anxiety than father migration(p<0.001).Future research should focus on treatments to decrease social anxiety of left-behind children.These findings suggest that due to the long-term absence of parental migration,LBC are more vulnerable to negative emotional experiences and behaviours such as anxiety,distress,and avoidance during social interaction,especially for those with both parents absent from the home.Future research should focus on treatments to reduce social anxiety in LBC.

Research on Localized English Education for Transnational Left-behind Children in the Context of English Global Localization: A Case Study of Wenzhou Overseas Chinese Hometown

With the increasing development of English globalization,the trend of combining English with local cultures has become more evident.This research focuses on five schools in the Wenzhou overseas Chinese hometown to investigate the current status of English education from the perspectives of teachers,students,and textbooks.The aim was to propose bilingual education strategies for the education of transnational left-behind children(TLC).By examining the situation of English education in this specific context,this study sought to address the unique challenges faced by TLC and provide effective educational approaches.Interviews,observations,and document analysis were employed to gather data by means of questionnaire research methods.The findings of this study settled on the improvement of bilingual education for TLC and insights into enhancing English education in multicultural settings.

Predictors of antenatal health service utilization among left-behind wives of male outmigrants:Evidence from Patna District,India

Objective:To analyze the sociological support system available for left-behind wives of male outmigrants and develop a model that predicts the antenatal care(ANC)services utilization.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in rural regions of the Patna district,India.The sample size(n=328)was estimated using Cochran’s formula.Five parameters of the social support system were identified(autonomy,spousal support,family support,social circle support,and government support).The score for each was calculated as a composite score using multiple variables;these served as independent variables.The respondents were categorized as efficient and non-efficient users of ANC service based on established criteria.Results:The regression results showed that four out of five social parameters had a significant effect on ANC behavior.Spousal support was the strongest predictor(standardized regression coefficient β=0.57,OR 1.16,95%CI 1.08-1.79,P=0.007).Government support was found to be the second strongest predictor(β=0.40,OR 1.49,95%CI 1.04-2.14,P=0.027),followed by family support(β=0.31,OR 1.36,95%CI 1.23-2.57,P=0.034)and autonomy(β=0.11,OR 1.32,95%CI 1.11-2.26,P=0.030).The social circle support was found to be non-significant in predicting ANC behavior(P>0.05).Conclusions:The policymakers could focus on the identified predictors to strengthen and modify the existing policies for leftbehind wives of male outmigrants.The need of the hour is a strategic intervention for behavioral modification of not only the left-behind wives but also their family members along with reinforcement of the existing social-security net.One strategy we suggest is to launch an awareness campaign focusing on husbands(male outmigrants)and family members.

The Relationship between Rural Left-Behind Children’s Physical Activity and Hope:The Mediating Effects of Perceived Social Support

It has been confirmed in previous studies that there is a positive correlation between physical activity and hope.In this study,rural left-behind children in China was taken as the participants to investigate the impact of physical activity on hope in rural left-behind children and examine the mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship between physical activity and hope.797 valid copies of the questionnaire were collected from China.Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to analyze the relationship between physical activity and hope;SEM and Bootstrap were used to test the mediating effect of perceived social support.The results show that physical activity can not only directly and positively predict the level of hope in rural leftbehind children but can also predict the level of hope through perceived social support;perceived social support plays a mediating role in the relationship between physical activity and hope.These results highlight the necessity to pay more attention to the physical activity of left-behind children and the possibility to improve the level of hope by increasing their physical activity;at the same time,the acquisition of more material,emotional and psychological support from teachers and guardians is more conducive to improving the sense of hope in left-behind children.These findings can deepen the understanding of the sense of hope in left-behind children,and provide new methods for and enlightenments on improving the level of hope in left-behind children.

A Study on Left-behind Junior Students'Foreign Language Learning Anxiety

Since the 1960s, foreign language educators and researchers home and abroad have started to pay attention to the influence of the affective variables including language learning anxiety on foreign language learning. This thesis tried to find out the factors that may influence the foreign language learning anxiety level of left-behind students and put forward ways to help lower down the foreign language learning anxiety level of the left-behind junior middle school students.

The Research on Left-Behind Adolescents’Time Management Disposition

Objective:To explore the time management tendency of left-behind adolescents,compare the differences of time management of left-behind.Methods:The questionnaire studies the adolescents students of major labor.Results:Left-behind adolescents are tend to form bad time management tendency(t<2.55,p<0.01)and among these left-behind adolescents there are great individual differences(F>4.24,p>0.05);16-year-old time is a critical period of forming social value of time management(F>4.24,p>0.05),the grade(F_((2,331))=3.74,p=0.03),and whether the only child(t=2.26,p=0.03)has priority to the impact of time management;the children’s age when their parents left.The left period of their parents,the parents who go out,and the visit interval all these factors affect the adolescents’time management tendency(R^(2)>0.21,p<0.001).

The impact of migration on the food consumption and nutrition of left-behind family members: Evidence from a minority mountainous region of southwestern China

While migration is widely recognized as a valid option for improving farmers’ income, the welfare effects of migration on left-behind family members are ambiguous. This study examines the impacts of migration on left-behind family members’ food consumption and nutrient intake, particularly in remote rural areas in China. Based on household survey data collected from 611 smallholder rubber farmers in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture of southwestern China, the empirical results suggest that the migration of family members contributes to improving household net income, whereas it negatively affects left-behind family members’ consumption of grain and pork. Migration also leads to a decrease in left-behind family members’ nutrient intake. Surprisingly, the economic returns of farmers’ migration not only do not foster the transformation of household food consumption from a staple food-dominated dietary structure to one including more meat and dairy products but also reduce left-behind family members’ nutrient intake. This study adds to the literature on the impact of farmers’ migration. The findings have important implications for better understanding the impacts of migration on farmers’ livelihood and human capital development in rural China.

The Correlation between Social Anxiety and Loneliness of Left-Behind Children in Rural China: Effect of Coping Style

In this study, the relationship between social anxiety, coping style and loneliness amongst left-behind children was investigated. The participants were 773 left-behind children recruited from 8 junior middle schools in rural areas of Zhejiang Province in China who completed the Social Anxiety Scale for Children, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire and Children’s Loneliness Scale. Results show that there was a moderate correlation between social anxiety and loneliness, and these variables had a significant negative relationship with positive coping style and a significant positive relationship with negative coping style. Furthermore, the left-behind children’s social anxiety, coping style and loneliness were different within specific demographic groups, such as gender, only child status and different type of parental work. Also negative coping style moderated the association between loneliness and social anxiety, so that children who were more likely to use negative coping strategies showed a stronger relationship between social anxiety and loneliness. Finally, the left-behind children’s social anxiety not only directly predicted their loneliness, but also had an indirect effect mediated by their copying style.

Parental Migration’s Effects on the Academic and Non-Academic Performance of Left-Behind Children in Rural China

This study investigates the impact of parental labor migration on the academic achievements and non-academic growth of left-behind children in fourth and seventh grades. Employing survey data collected from rural China in 2014, 2015, and 2016, we examine the effect of parental absence on children's academic achievement using Propensity Score Matching(PSM) and Difference in Difference(DID) methods. The results demonstrate that left-behind children whose parents have migrated for one year have statistically significantly lower academic scores. Academic scores drop lower for fourthgrade students and students from higher-income families. There are also adverse effects on left-behind children's confidence, teacher-student relationships, subjective well-being, and educational expectations if parents migrate for one year. Surprisingly, if parental migration lasts longer(totaling two years), these adverse effects disappear, and student's educational expectations even improve. These results may be because, over time, the adverse effects that occur immediately after parental migration are offset by the positive effects of migration(i.e. higher income). These conclusions can inform migrant parents on ways to utilize their resources to improve the academic performance of their left-behind children.

Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Left-Behind Children in Impoverished Rural China:A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study of First Grade Junior High School

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems and related factors of left-behind children in impoverished rural China(mainly in thefirst grade of junior high school).Methods:A cross-sectional survey of rural households in 27 poverty-stricken counties in 12 provinces across China was conducted using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire(SDQ).Results:The prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in left-behind children was 11.7%,and that of non-left-behind children was 8.9%.There was statistical difference between the two groups(P<0.01).There are no differences between the two groups in terms of the various factors of SDQ.The incidence of insomnia in the left-behind group was 58.3%,which was higher than that in the non-left-behind group 50.9%(P<0.01);loneliness(62.1%vs.51.8%,P<0.01);running away from home(23.1%vs.18.8%,P<0.01),and self-injury behavior(16.8%vs.12.2%,P<0.01).Left-behind children are more likely to have negative psychological feelings including insomnia,loneliness,self-injury,and run away from home.They also experienced more bullying including maliciously teased by peers,intentionally excluded or isolated,physically threatened or intimidated.All of these factors are associated with their abnormal emotional and behavioural development.Conclusion:The incidence of emotional and behavioral problems of left-behind children in rural areas in poverty-stricken areas is significantly higher than that of non-left-behind children;Logistic regression analysis showed that bullying behavior and abnormal psychological characteristics are significantly associated with left-behind adolescents abnormal emotional and behavioral development.

Parental Migration and the Academic Performance of Left-behind Children——Evidence from a Two-wave Panel Dataset of 10 Thousand Students in 5 Provinces in China

Since the 1990s, the large-scale migrant labor force from rural to urban areas has made great contributions to the growth in China. However, migration does not come without costs. The potential impacts of parental migration on the left-behind children have aroused wide concerns. Based on a two-wave panel dataset of nearly 10 thousand students in 166 schools from 13 counties in 5 provinces between 2014 and 2015, differences-in-differences （DID） and propensity score matching plus DID （PSMDID） approaches were used to examine the changes in academic performances before and after the parental out-migration. The results indicated that the mother only migration has a significant negative impact on the a- cademic performances of left-behind children, and it was especially true when the mother only migration lasted more than a semester. For left-behind children whose parents were out or only the father was out, their academic performances were not affected.

Dietary Behaviors and Influencing Factors among Rural Left-behind Children Aged below 7 Years in China

Left-behind children comprise a special population inChinese rural areas. According to the 2007 China Census,the number ofleft-behind children aged≤14 years was estimated at 58 million which suggested that these childrencon stituted a

A Study of English Learning Motivation of Left-behind Children from the Perspective of L2 Motivational Self System

A survey carried out among 286 left-behind children in a middle school through the lens of L2 Motivational Self System presents that although left-behind children possess low level of English learning motivation,they are favorably disposed towards studying English.Among the three dimensions of L2 Motivational Self System in this survey,L2 Learning Experience influences English learning motivation of left-behind children most and Ideal L2 Self with Ought-to L2 Self ranks the second in affecting their motivation.Practicalimplications are also provided.

Path of Student Volunteer Organizations in Agricultural Universities for Serving Rural Left-behind Children: A Case Study of Northwest A&F University

Most volunteer organizations in universities focus their attention on urban communities and residents,but neglect rural residents.Agricultural universities have responsibilities and conditions to serve rural areas,and should bring into play their leading role. This study surveyed situations of volunteers of Northwest A&F University serving rural left-behind children,and found that there are problems including weak volunteer awareness,unstable organization members,imperfect organization construction,and lack of effect incentive mechanism. Finally,it came up four recommendations: strengthening " active service" ideological education,improving management system construction,establishing incentive mechanism,and setting up brand project,to provide feasible path for agricultural universities serving rural weak groups in a better way.

Good Experience of Values Education Mode in the UK and the US for the "Left-behind" Children's Values Education in China

Based on the development status and development characteristics of the "left-behind" children, we analyze the current situation of the "left-behind" children's values education in China. After studying the training methods and mode of young people's values in the US and Europe, we reflect on the "left-behind" children's values education in China, and point out the following deficiencies in the "left-behind" children's values education in China: the traditional Chinese culture is at the ebb, and socialist core values have not received close attention, being developed sluggishly; the educational content is stale and the method is single; the rise of science education leads to the decline of humanities education, hindering comprehensive human development. We draw the following precious experience from the values education in the UK and the US for the "left-behind" children's values education in China: laying great emphasis on humanities education, to promote comprehensive human development; seeking and reshaping the mainstream values under plural values; giving full play to the social forces, to promote the development of the "left-behind" children's values education.

Rethink Left-Behind Experience: New Categories and Its Relationship with Aggression

Left-behind experience refers to the experience of children staying behind in their hometown under the care of only one parent or their relatives while one or both of their parents leave to work in other places.College students with left-behind experience showed higher aggression levels.To further explore the relationship between left-behind experience and aggression,the current study categorized left-behind experience using latent class analysis and explored its relationship with aggression.One thousand twenty-eight Chinese college students with left-behind experience were recruited,and their aggression levels were assessed.The results showed that there were four categories of left-behind experience:“starting from preschool,frequent contact”(35.5%),“less than 10 years in duration,limited contact”(27.0%),“starting from preschool,over 10 years in duration,limited contact”(10.9%),and“starting from school age,frequent contact”(26.6%).Overall,college students who reported frequent contact with their parents during the left-behind period showed lower levels of aggression than others did.Females were less aggressive than males in the“starting from preschool,frequent contact”left-behind situation,while males were less aggressive than females in the“starting from school age,frequent contact”situation.Thesefindings indicate that frequent contact with leaving parents contributes to decreasing aggression of college students with left-behind experience.Meanwhile,gender is an important factor in this relationship.

Preliminary Study on Crime Prevention of Left-behind Children in Rural China

In the process of social and economic development in China,there appears the inevitable problem of crime of left-behind children.Extensive researches and disputes prove that it is,to a greater extent,a social phenomenon resulted from social factors. It is recommended to improve the treatment of migrant workers and solve the problem of school admission for their children,provide effective legal education for those left-behind children whose problem can not be solved in a short term,and supplement the guardianship role to control the crime rate of leftbehind children. Another more effective method is to resume effective control of people's social life through the rural cultural tradition,to fundamentally prevent crime of left-behind children.

Current Situation and Mental Health and Intervention Measures of Left-behind Children

In the Outline of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China,it proposed of improving distribution and form of urbanization and strengthening urbanization management. With acceleration of the urbanization,numerous rural labors flow to cities,and the number of left-behind children becomes increasingly large,which not only increases burden of family and education,but also gives rise to many mental problems. Due to lack of family education,many left-behind children have mental,emotional and ethical disorder and problem,which creates hidden trouble for building a harmonious society and economic development. This paper analyzed current situation and factors influencing mental health of left-behind children,including family environment,grandparent upbringing,and school environment. Finally,it came up with pertinent intervention measures from changing ideas of parents,improving the relationship between parents and children,and improving mental health education of schools.

Psychological Capital Status of Left-Behind Rural Children in China and Its Relationship with Mental Health

Background:The mental health of left-behind rural children of China has become a prominent social problem.At the same time,psychological capital has become a positive psychological resource to promote personal growth.However,the relationship between psychological capital and mental health of left-behind rural children has not been explored.Method:A total of 332 left-behind rural children were investigated using a questionnaire of psychological capital and mental health scale.The psychological capital status of left-behind rural children and its impact on mental health were analyzed.Results:(1)Left-behind rural children were found to have a psychological capital score of was 3.16±0.56;Gender,age,grade,and school style had no significant effect on psychological capital.(2)Left-behind rural children obtained a mental health score of 2.21±0.5 G and gender,age,grade,and school style had no significant effect on mental health.(3)A significant negative correlation is found between psychological capital and mental health scores of left-behind rural children.Regression analysis shows that psychological capital is negatively correlated with mental health scores.Conclusion:The psychological capital of left-behind rural children can positively predict their mental health,and thus developing the former can promote the latter.

Moderating effect of psychological resilience on the perceived social support and loneliness in the left-behind elderly in rural areas

Objective:To investigate the loneliness and psychological resilience with the perceived social support of the left-behind elderly in rural areas and explore the moderating effect of psychological resilience on the understanding of social support and loneliness of the left-behind elderly in rural areas.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted;272 left-behind elderly people in 6 rural villages in the Sichuan Province were investigated by using the General Situation Questionnaire,Perceived Social Support Scale(PSSS),Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale(CD-RISC),and the University of California at Los Angeles Loneliness Scale(UCLA)with a stratified random cluster sampling method.Results:The loneliness score of the left-behind elderly in rural areas was 52.54±7.25,the psychological resilience score was 78(68.87),and the perceived social support score was 57(51.62).The perceived social support and psychological resilience were negatively correlated with loneliness,while the perceived social support was positively correlated with psychological resilience.The moderating effect of psychological resilience on the perceived social support and loneliness of the left-behind elderly in rural areas was−0.102(P<0.001).Conclusions:Higher level resilience is of positive significance to alleviate the negative effect of social support on loneliness.Improving the resilience of the left-behind elderly in rural areas is a beneficial exploration to promote their mental health.