Psychotic-like experiences, trauma and related risk factors among "left-behind" children in China.
Large scale migration of workers due to wage differences across regions of China has separated millions of children, called "left-behind children" from their parents. Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are thought to be associated with childhood deprivation and may predict later psychotic disorders but have not been studied in this potentially vulnerable population.



Data were collected from representative samples of students in thirteen middle schools in the Xiangxi region and Changsha city of Hunan province (N=6623), of whom 1360 (21.3%) were "left-behind" children. Children were surveyed with the positive frequency subscales of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences and the Trauma History Questionnaire child version.



More "left-behind" children reported experiencing PLEs than others. They also scored higher on the overall frequency of PLEs, severity of childhood trauma, and the subjectively perceived psychological impact of trauma both at the time of the events and at present. Compared with "left-behind" children raised by a parent or by grandparents, those raised by others reported suffering more severe impact both at the time of the events and at present. Among "left-behind" children trauma history was the most important correlate of PLEs followed by Han ethnicity, older age, and not having a stable family income.



"Left-behind" children are at higher risk for PLEs and suffer more traumatic events than other Chinese children. Interventions that reduce trauma risk and improve relationships with caregivers may be helpful, especially for older "left-behind" children.
Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Meng
M
Sun
Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Zhimin
Z
Xue
Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Wen
W
Zhang
Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Rui
R
Guo
Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Aimin
A
Hu
Department of Psychology, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China.
Yihui
Y
Li
College of Health Sciences, University of Dodoma, P.O. Box 395, Dodoma, Tanzania.
Tumbwene Elieza
TE
Mwansisya
Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Li
L
Zhou
Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Chang
C
Liu
Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Xudong
X
Chen
Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Xiaojun
X
Huang
Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
Haojuan
H
Tao
School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Jingcheng
J
Shi
Mental Health Institute of the Second Xianga Hospital, Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China. Electronic address: zningl@163.com.
Zhening
Z
Liu
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, USA.
Robert
R
Rosenheck
D000293:Adolescent; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D063426:Human Migration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Caregiver; Impact; Migration