[Structural equation model analysis on psychological resilience of left-behind children in rural areas in Sichuan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors on psychological resilience of left-behind children in rural areas and to find protective factors for psychological resilience by Structural Equation Model.

METHODS: 349 left-behind children of two rural middle schools in Zizhong County, Sichuan Province were measured in group by the Social Support Appraisals (SS-A) Scale and California Health Kids Survey Resilience Assessment Module (HKRA) and other appraisal scales as well as cross-section investigated by self-made questionnaire, using Structural Equation Model for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Psychological resilience of left-behind children in rural areas was divided into two parts which were external protective factor and internal characteristic of individual. The latter was directly impacted by the former (beta = 1.138, P < 0.001) and gender (beta = 0.086, P = 0.048). External protective factor of psychological resilience was directly impacted by family support (beta = 0.076, P = 0.047), parents concern (beta = 0.092, P < 0.001), parental relationship (beta = 0.024, P = 0.043) and mother requiring (beta = 0.050, P = 0.065) and indirectly impacted by friends support, other support, the time of mothers working outside and guardian requiring. There was positive relationship between academic performance and internal characteristics of psychological resilience of left-behind children (r = 0.026, P = 0.055).

CONCLUSION: Psychological resilience of left-behind children in rural areas was influenced by multidimensional factors. Family support, especially mother's care was the key protective factor. Guardians, teachers and friends support and care were also protective factors. Gender difference occurred as to internal characteristic of psychological resilience of the female left-behind children was higher than that of the male.