Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Wenzhou, China.
Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research for Mental Disorders, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, China.
BMC Public Health. 2024 Nov 14;24(1):3160. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20699-z.
Left-behind children(LBC) in rural China are at increased risk for mental health problems, including depression. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression and identify key associate factors among Chinese rural LBC.
A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 36,612 LBC aged 6 to 18 years old across 596 data collection sites in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, China. Participants completed questionnaires assessing individual factors, family parenting situation, living events, and health-related data. Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). T-tests, chi-square, and logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with depression.
The overall prevalence of depression among LBC was 6.75%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that family parenting situations, such as being from blended families (OR = 1.45) or being cared for by other family members (OR = 1.64), and dissatisfaction with the parenting situation (OR = 1.57) were significantly associated with higher odds of depression. Living events, including being misunderstood (OR = 1.82) and having disputes (OR = 1.48), and health-related factors, such as chronic diseases and regular medication use (OR = 2.38), also increased the risk of depression.
This study highlights the high prevalence of depression among Chinese rural LBC and identifies key associate factors, including family parenting situation, negative living events and health-related factors. Targeted interventions and policies addressing these factors are needed to promote the mental health of this vulnerable population.
中国农村留守儿童（LBC）面临更高的心理健康问题风险，包括抑郁。本研究旨在估计中国农村留守儿童的抑郁患病率，并确定关键的相关因素。
本研究采用横断面研究，使用来自四川省南充市 596 个数据收集点的 36612 名 6 至 18 岁的农村留守儿童的数据。参与者完成了评估个人因素、家庭养育状况、生活事件和与健康相关数据的问卷。使用中心流行病学研究抑郁量表（CES-D）测量抑郁。采用 t 检验、卡方检验和 logistic 回归分析识别与抑郁相关的因素。
留守儿童的总体抑郁患病率为 6.75%。logistic 回归分析显示，家庭养育状况，如来自混合家庭（OR=1.45）或由其他家庭成员照顾（OR=1.64），以及对养育状况不满意（OR=1.57），与更高的抑郁几率显著相关。生活事件，包括被误解（OR=1.82）和发生争执（OR=1.48），以及与健康相关的因素，如慢性病和经常用药（OR=2.38），也增加了抑郁的风险。
本研究强调了中国农村留守儿童中抑郁的高患病率，并确定了关键的相关因素，包括家庭养育状况、负面生活事件和与健康相关的因素。需要针对这些因素采取有针对性的干预措施和政策，以促进这一弱势群体的心理健康。
