The resilience status of Chinese left-behind children in rural areas: a meta-analysis

The resilience has become the main trend of the left-behind children's (LBC) mental health research. To evaluate the resilience status of Chinese LBC in rural areas, a meta-analysis was performed. Relevant studies were identified using electronic databases from 1990 to 2017. Pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated with fixed and random effects models. A total of 14 cross-sectional studies with 9777 individuals were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed there was significant difference in the aspects of family support and RSCA (Resilience Scale for Chinese Adolescents) total score between LBC and non-left-behind children (NLBC). After stratification subgroup, significant difference in RSCA total score was also found in subgroup with sample size >= 700 and target population (LBC) between LBC and NLBC. In addition, there was no significant difference in resilience of male and female among LBC (P >0.05). We also found RSCA total score of LBC whose one parents migratingwere higher than both parents (P <0.05) and the time of parental migration (<= 2 years) were higher than others (>2 years). In conclusion, more attention should be paid to the LBC, especially both parents migrating or parental migration (>2 years).