title: Fundamental literature and hot topics on rural left-behind children in China: a bibliometric analysis.
abstract: Recently, the literature on rural left-behind children in China has rapidly grown. However, no comprehensive review of the status of knowledge on the issue exists.
  
  
  
  A co-cited network map of 327 studies (covering 1998 through 2014) drawn from the Chinese Social Studies Citation Index database was analysed.
  
  
  
  Using visualization software, the results identified three fundamental studies on the issue and four hot topics: interventions, deviant behaviours, mental health and family childrearing strategies. The analysis found that knowledge on this topic could be furthered by (1) focusing on protective factors and (2) integrating disciplines by standardizing concepts and measures.
  
  
  
  These study's results are an important reference for the development of theories, practices and policies regarding rural left-behind children in China.
authors: School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi, China.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: School of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi, China.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Wei
authors: School of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi, China.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Ma
authors: School of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi, China. wangtingzhao@snnu.edu.cn.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D015706:Bibliometrics; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014171:Transients and Migrants
keywords: Chinese children; fundamental literature; hot topics; rural left-behind children