Meng Sun1, Zhimin Xue1, Wen Zhang1, Rui Guo1, Aimin Hu1, Yihui Li2, Tumbwene Elieza Mwansisya3, Li Zhou1, Chang Liu1, Xudong Chen1, Xiaojun Huang1, Haojuan Tao1, Jingcheng Shi4, Zhening Liu5, Robert Rosenheck6. 1. Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China. 2. Department of Psychology, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China. 3. College of Health Sciences, University of Dodoma, P.O. Box 395, Dodoma, Tanzania. 4. School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China. 5. Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China. Electronic address: zningl@163.com. 6. Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Large scale migration of workers due to wage differences across regions of China has separated millions of children, called "left-behind children" from their parents. Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are thought to be associated with childhood deprivation and may predict later psychotic disorders but have not been studied in this potentially vulnerable population. METHODS: Data were collected from representative samples of students in thirteen middle schools in the Xiangxi region and Changsha city of Hunan province (N=6623), of whom 1360 (21.3%) were "left-behind" children. Children were surveyed with the positive frequency subscales of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences and the Trauma History Questionnaire child version. RESULTS: More "left-behind" children reported experiencing PLEs than others. They also scored higher on the overall frequency of PLEs, severity of childhood trauma, and the subjectively perceived psychological impact of trauma both at the time of the events and at present. Compared with "left-behind" children raised by a parent or by grandparents, those raised by others reported suffering more severe impact both at the time of the events and at present. Among "left-behind" children trauma history was the most important correlate of PLEs followed by Han ethnicity, older age, and not having a stable family income. CONCLUSION: "Left-behind" children are at higher risk for PLEs and suffer more traumatic events than other Chinese children. Interventions that reduce trauma risk and improve relationships with caregivers may be helpful, especially for older "left-behind" children.
BACKGROUND: Large scale migration of workers due to wage differences across regions of China has separated millions of children, called "left-behind children" from their parents. Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are thought to be associated with childhood deprivation and may predict later psychotic disorders but have not been studied in this potentially vulnerable population. METHODS: Data were collected from representative samples of students in thirteen middle schools in the Xiangxi region and Changsha city of Hunan province (N=6623), of whom 1360 (21.3%) were "left-behind" children. Children were surveyed with the positive frequency subscales of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences and the Trauma History Questionnaire child version. RESULTS: More "left-behind" children reported experiencing PLEs than others. They also scored higher on the overall frequency of PLEs, severity of childhood trauma, and the subjectively perceived psychological impact of trauma both at the time of the events and at present. Compared with "left-behind" children raised by a parent or by grandparents, those raised by others reported suffering more severe impact both at the time of the events and at present. Among "left-behind" childrentrauma history was the most important correlate of PLEs followed by Han ethnicity, older age, and not having a stable family income. CONCLUSION: "Left-behind" children are at higher risk for PLEs and suffer more traumatic events than other Chinese children. Interventions that reduce trauma risk and improve relationships with caregivers may be helpful, especially for older "left-behind" children.
Authors: Filip Stramecki; Dorota Frydecka; Łukasz Gawęda; Katarzyna Prochwicz; Joanna Kłosowska; Jerzy Samochowiec; Krzysztof Szczygieł; Edyta Pawlak; Elżbieta Szmida; Paweł Skiba; Andrzej Cechnicki; Błażej Misiak Journal: Brain Sci Date: 2021-04-28
Authors: Mengqing Long; Jia Huang; Yishun Peng; Yawen Mai; Xian Yuan; Xinhua Yang Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-12 Impact factor: 3.390