Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
Volume 12, Issue 1, 2018

Mental health status, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors of migrant children in eastern coastal China in comparison to urban children: A cross-sectional survey (Article) (Open Access)

Lu J. , Wang F. , Chai P. , Wang D. , Li L.* , Zhou X.
  • a Zhejiang University, The Institute of Social and Family Medicine, School of Public Health, 866 Yuhangtang Rd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
  • b Zhejiang University, The Institute of Social and Family Medicine, School of Public Health, 866 Yuhangtang Rd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
  • c Yinzhou District CDC, 1221 Xueshi Rd., Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315199, China
  • d Oxford Road, SG16 Samuel Alexander Building, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
  • e Zhejiang University, The Institute of Social and Family Medicine, School of Public Health, 866 Yuhangtang Rd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
  • f Zhejiang University, The Institute of Social and Family Medicine, School of Public Health, 866 Yuhangtang Rd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China

Abstract

Purpose: Although adolescents' mental health problems and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) have been a serious public health concern worldwide, descriptions of risk factors for SITBs often fail to take migration into account. There are roughly 35.8 million migrant children in China who, with their parents, moved from original rural residence to urban areas. Little is known about migrant children's mental health status and levels of SITBs. This study aims to explore the mental health status and SITBs of migrant children living in eastern coastal China in comparison to their urban counterparts. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 13 schools. Mental health status and SITBs were measured via self-administered questionnaires. Associations between strengths and difficulties questionnaire outcomes and SITBs were investigated. Results: Data from 4217 students (1858 migrant children and 2359 urban children) were collected. After controlling for gender, age, family economic status, parent's education level and parents' marital status, migrant children scored higher for total difficulties (p < 0.001) and externalizing problems (p < 0.001) than did urban children and reported higher rates of suicidal ideation (p < 0.05) and self-injurious behaviors (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Migrant children, compared with urban children, have a higher risk of externalizing problems and SITBs. It is urgent to address these problems by providing both mental health services at migrant-exclusive schools and equitable education and social welfare to migrant children. © 2018 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

SDQ Migrant Children Self-injurious behavior Suicide ideation

Index Keywords

urban population China hyperactivity educational status conduct disorder mental health human controlled study priority journal cross-sectional study migrant Adolescent male female socioeconomics automutilation Article suicidal behavior strengths and difficulties questionnaire suicidal ideation Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85041482608&doi=10.1186%2fs13034-018-0219-2&partnerID=40&md5=d30091af3227e7361c230e9e6b75b85d
DOI: 10.1186/s13034-018-0219-2
ISSN: 17532000
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English