Influential factors on mental health of rural left-behind middle school students: family APGAR index and perceived social support / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To find out the differences between left-behind and non left-behind junior middle school students (JMSS) on family APGAR index (APGAR),perceived social support (PSSS) and mental health (MH);and to analysis the relationship among APGAR,PSSS and MH of left-behind JMSS.Methods 2406 JMSS in rural areas were assessed in Hunan,using self-designed Demographic Data Recording Form,Family AP-GAR Index,Perceived Social Support Scale and Scale of Mental Health for Chinese Middle-school Student.Results Left-behind JMSS' PSSS(59.27±11.78 vs 60.55±11.88,P=0.009),family support (19.12±4.69 vs 19.72±4.59,P=0.012),other support (20.29±4.59 vs 20.69±4.57,P=0.033) were lower;APGAR ((4.79±2.32 vs 5.08±2.46,P=0.014) and Adaptation (0.77±0.62 vs 0.87±0.62,P=0.001) lower;mental health status score higher (2.18±0.56 vs 2.07±0.57,P=0.000) than non-left-behind JMSS.APGAR was signifi-cantly correlated with PSSS(r=0.368,P<0.000) ;APGAR (r=-0.098),in which Adapt;on (r=-0.123),Growth (r=-0.074) and qmidu (r=-0.080,PSSS (r=-0.149),in which family support (r=-0.151),friend support(r=-0.089) and other support (r=-0.137)were significantly correlated with MH of left-behind JMSS(P<0.01),family support (β=-0.126) and adaption (β=-0.086)entered the multiple linear regression equation,which can explained 16.2% of the changes on mental health(F=20.049,P=0.000).Conclusion In order to improve mental health of JMSS,parents,caregivers,should give them more family care,schools and soci-ety should pay more attention to left-behind JMSS,and give them more help and a health environment in life,teach them to find social support and solve problems in life by them through a series of mental health education.