title: Change and associated factors of self-esteem among children in rural China: A two-year longitudinal study.
abstract: Childhood has been targeted as an especially important period for self-esteem formation. The aim of this study is to examine the change and associated factors of self-esteem among children in rural China. A two-year longitudinal study was conducted with a general elementary and secondary school population in Anhui Province, China including 816 children aged between 7 and 16 years. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to examine relationships between low self-esteem and socio-demographic, family environment, and psychosocial factors. On average, self-esteem level among children was increased across three assessments. Multivariable analysis (GEE) showed that low self-esteem in children was clearly associated with male gender (OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.12-1.89), moderate and severe family dysfunction (OR = 1.88, 95%CI = 1.40-2.51; OR = 1.88, 95%CI = 1.25-2.83, respectively), quality of life (OR = .97, 95%CI = .96-.98), depression (OR = 1.89, 95%CI = 1.32-2.70), anxiety (OR = 2.05, 95%CI = 1.51-2.77), positive coping styles (OR = .91, 95%CI = .89-.94), and negative coping styles (OR = 1.05, 95%CI = 1.03-1.07). Self-esteem is a dynamic rather than a static construct during childhood. Low self-esteem among children was associated with a number of socio-demographic, family environment, and psychosocial factors. Further studies exploring the pathways and mechanisms by which the effect of these factors impact on self-esteem among children are warranted.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health , Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China.
authors.forename: Yi-Le
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health , Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health , Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China.
authors.forename: Lin-Sheng
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: b Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health , Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China.
authors.forename: Xiu-Xiu
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health , Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China.
authors.forename: Hui-Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health , Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China.
authors.forename: Ye-Huan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: children; family function; left-behind; self-esteem