Abstract

Inequalities in job opportunities between urban and rural regions have driven many parents to move from rural to urban regions with aims to improve household income. Financial and political barriers prevent children from moving with their parents, meaning that their children become left-behind in rural regions. This study aims to meta-analyse the risk of drinking, smoking, illicit drug use and drunk experiences in left behind children (LBC) and non-LBC. Previous studies have indicated the negative effects of prolonged parental separation on children and adolescent mental health. Parental separation and poor mental health have both been identified as proximal risk factors for substance use in adolescence. The results indicated that LBC were at significantly greater risk of drinking, smoking, using illicit drugs, and having drunk experiences. Positive psychology interventions are required to help provide LBC with positive coping strategies against psychological distress. Policy changes to reduce inequalities in job opportunities between urban and rural regions are required to reduce the prevalence of LBC.

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