Material deprivation, parenting practices, and children's psychological health and wellbeing in China

J Community Psychol. 2020 Nov;48(8):2644-2662. doi: 10.1002/jcop.22441. Epub 2020 Sep 9.

Abstract

This paper examined the extent and risk factors of child subjective wellbeing and psychological health empirically using China Family Panel Studies data set. Child subjective wellbeing was measured in this paper using six indicators including the frequency in feelings of depression, nervousness, restlessness, hopelessness, helplessness, and meaninglessness. Risk factors of child subjective wellbeing have also been examined in particular to the domains of household multidimensional material deprivation, parenting practices, and children's personal health conditions. The results of this paper implied that providing adequate nutrition and ensuring children's access to basic water and sanitation facilities were important strategies for promoting children's psychological health and wellbeing. Also important factor for child wellbeing is parenting styles and practices, that is, how parents interact with children in daily lives and how they behave as parents.

Keywords: parenting; poverty; psychological wellbeing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • China
  • Humans
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Parenting*
  • Poverty*
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires