Development of psychological resilience and associations with emotional and behavioral health among preschool left-behind children.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the development of psychological resilience and its associations with emotional and behavioral health among preschool left-behind children (LBC).

METHODS

LBC in 26 preschools of Fuyang City, Hefei City, and Maanshan City of Anhui Province were included at baseline survey; and baseline children in the junior and middle classes of preschools as targeted samples were recruited for the 1-year follow-up. Multivariable linear regression models were performed to examine associations of psychological resilience with emotional and behavioral health.

RESULTS

In total, 1463 LBC were included at baseline and 568 of the 905 targeted LBC completed the 1-year follow-up. Change patterns of psychological resilience were identified as the stable-high pattern (19.0%), increasing pattern (18.3%), declining pattern (15.9%), and stable-low pattern (46.8%). The results showed that psychological resilience at baseline was positively associated with later dietary behavior habits and prosocial behaviors, and negatively associated with later problematic behaviors and sleep problems. In addition, children with the declining pattern had more problematic behaviors and sleep problems, and fewer prosocial behaviors at follow-up. Children with the increasing pattern and stable-high pattern had more prosocial behaviors, better dietary behavior habits, and fewer problematic behaviors and sleep problems at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of preschool LBC had lower psychological resilience and its level among some LBC changed during the follow-up. Higher psychological resilience was a protective factor for emotional and behavioral health. Timely assessing psychological resilience and then strengthening it are needed to promote the emotional and behavioral health of preschool LBC.