Work

What Really Matters for Loneliness Among Left-Behind Children in Rural China: A Meta-Analytic Review

Year: 2019

Type: article

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: In rural China, left-behind children are likely to suffer chronic loneliness. Research has identified a variety of factors that may be associated with loneliness among these children. A meta-analysis is needed to address the empirical inconsistencies and examine the strength of relations between different factors and loneliness. The current meta-analysis included 51 studies on predictors of loneliness published from 2008 to 2017. Results showed that one individual factor (social anxiety) is a key risk factor for loneliness, whereas eight individual (older age, self-esteem, resilience, extroversion) and contextual factors (family functioning, parent-child relationship, peer relationship, social support) serve as protective factors in predicting loneliness. In addition, boys were more likely to feel lonely than girls. Findings and implications of this study were discussed.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00774

Authors: Xiaoyun Chai, Hongfei Du, Xiaoyan Li, Shaobing Su, Danhua Lin

Institutions: Beijing Normal University, Guangzhou University, Tufts University

Language: English

Topic: Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,950