Internalizing behavior problems among hui nationality left-behind children in rural China: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Internalizing behavior problems (IBPs) of left-behind children (LBC) due to parental migration, such as depression and anxiety, has aroused widespread public health concern in China. Limited research to date has focused on studying IBP in Chinese hui nationality LBC. The aims of this present study were to explore the prevalence of IBP and its influencing factors among hui nationality LBC in rural areas of China.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among school students from southern rural areas in Ningxia, China (2012-2013). The demographic data were investigated by a self-designed questionnaire. The caregivers or parents assessed internalizing behavior problems using Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL for parents). Children completed Egma Minnen av Bardndosnauppforstran (EMBU), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ for Children) and Piers-Harri Children's Self-concept Scale (PHCSS). Data on 383 hui nationality LBC aged 6–16 years used in this study were from a survey conducted. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship among the independent variables with children’s internalizing behaviors. Results: The prevalence of IBP in hui nationality LBC and non-left-behind children (non-LBC) was 21.7% (83/383) and 18.2% (104/572), respectively, and there was no significant difference between them (χ2=1.774，P=0.183). However, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of IBP among hui nationality LBC (22.2%) and non-LBC (14.1) for boys (χ2=5.086，P=0.024). Controlling for gender and age, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high mother-favoring subjects (OR=2.697), medium neuroticism (OR=12.77) and high neuroticism (OR=8.436) were risk factors for IBP in hui nationality LBC.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that parental migration is a risk factor for IBP among hui nationality LBC in rural China. Positive measures should be taken to prevent the IBP of LBC in rural Hui nationality from the aspects of personality development and parental rearing patterns.