title: Only-Child Status in Relation to Perceived Stress and Studying-Related Life Satisfaction among University Students in China: A Comparison with International Students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  University students in general face multiple challenges, which may affect their levels of perceived stress and life satisfaction. Chinese students currently face specific strains due to the One-Child Policy (OCP). The aim of this study was to assess (1) whether the levels of perceived stress and studying-related life satisfaction are associated with only-child (OC) status after controlling for demographic and socio-economic characteristics and (2) whether these associations differ between Chinese and international students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional health survey based on a self-administrated standardised questionnaire was conducted among 1,843 (1,543 Chinese, 300 international) students at two Chinese universities in 2010-2011. Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) and Stock and Kraemer's Studying-related Life Satisfaction Scale were used to measure perceived stress and studying-related life satisfaction respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations of OC status with perceived stress and studying-related life satisfaction by sex for Chinese students and international students separately.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Chinese non-only-children (NOCs) were more likely to come from small cities. Multivariable regression models indicate that the Chinese NOCs were more stressed than OCs (OR = 1.39, 1.11-1.74) with a stronger association in men (OR = 1.48, 1.08-2.02) than women (OR = 1.26, 0.89-1.77). NOCs were also more dissatisfied than their OC fellows in the Chinese subsample (OR = 1.37, 1.09-1.73). Among international students, no associations between OC status and perceived stress or studying-related life satisfaction were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To promote equality between OCs and NOCs at Chinese universities, the causes of more stress and less studying-related life satisfaction among NOCs compared to OCs need further exploration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Bielefeld, P.O. Box 10 02 91, 33502 Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Janet Junqing
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Bielefeld, P.O. Box 10 02 91, 33502 Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Mobarak Hossain
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Bielefeld, P.O. Box 10 02 91, 33502 Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Heiko J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Bielefeld, P.O. Box 10 02 91, 33502 Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kraemer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016656:Family Planning Policy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult