ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the physical and mental health status on the ‘left behind ’ students in Anhui province and the related influential factors.Methods Stratified cluster sampling method was used to investigate the 682 out of 3421 students from 7 middle schools in both south and north Anhui province,using multidimensional sub-health questionnaire of adolescents (MSQA) and mental health test (MHT),for assessment of the general condition,physical and mental health status.Results 14.22％ of the ‘left behind’ students were in sub-health condition compared to 11.28％ among the normal students,and the mental sub-health status represented 13.64％ for the former and 10.84％ for the latter.In addition,the ‘left behind’ students appeared less content with their life than those of staying with their parents (P＜0.05).MHT scores in the subjects were positively correlated with the scores on MSQA and showed significant difference (P＜0.01).Results from the multiple linear regression analysis showed that the mental health condition among the left behind students was in linear regression relationship with the decreased physical activity (β =1.456,P=0.001 ),emotional problems (β =1.096,P=0.000 ) and problems of social adaptation (β=1.011,P=0.006).The status of physical sub-health in the Anhui province showed that there was no significant difference in each of the study group (P＞0.05).Conclusion Decreased physical activity and emotion aporia as well as difficult social adaptation were major factors leading to degenerated mental health levels in the‘left-behind’ adolescents.The findings suggested that the mental health status could be improved inthis population through better management on their body-health condition.
ABSTRACT
Objective By exploring the mental health situation of the unattended adolescents in Anhui province. This study aimed at investigating the status of mental health and related influential factors to provide evidence for effective strategies and intervention in physical and mental health improvement of this population. Methods By using stratified cluster sampling method, we conducted an investigation on 3421 subjects,in which 682 were unattended adolescents,from 7 middle schools in both south and north parts of Anhui province. MHT was used to assess the general condition and status of mental health in the adolescents. Results In the population aged 10 to 18 in Anhui province,19.94% of them were unattended adolescents and were found with poor mental health and more prone to loneliness, sensitive and stronger fear as compared with those with parents around, which showed statistical difference (P＜0.05). As for the mental health status of unattended adolescents in different family types, the subjects seemed worse in the north than in the south Anhui regarding the total scores of MHT, self-accusation, physical symptoms and phobic anxiety disorder (P＜0.05). Girl students were also inferior to boys concerning the total scores of MHT, learning anxiety, interpersonal anxiety, self-accusation, sensitivity, physical symptoms and impulsive behavior (P＜0.05). The students in Grade 7 scored lower than those of the upperclassmen on MHT (P＜0.05), and the subjects from township were superior to those of rural areas regarding interpersonal anxiety and loneliness (P＜0.05). Children with siblings appeared worse than their counterparts on the total scores of MHT, including the items of interpersonal anxiety, learning anxiety, self-accusation, sensitivity,physical symptoms, strong fear and impulsive behavior (P＜0.05). Conclusion Generally, the mental health status of unattended adolescents in Anhui province appeared poorer than their counterparts, and relatively worse psychological status was seen in girls, high school students,children with siblings and subjects living in north Anhui or rural areas.