Father Migration and Mother Migration: Different Implications for Social, School, and Psychological Adjustment of Left-Behind Children in Rural China

  【摘 要】This study examined the relations between parental migration and theadjustment of left-behind children and the mediating role of parentalsupport in rural China. Data were collected for 4,429 students (2,229 boys,M age = 12 years) in public schools from peer evaluations, teacher ratings,self-reports, and school records. The analyses revealed different patterns ofrelations of mother migration and father migration to children’s adjustment.Whereas mother migration was negatively associated with children’s socialcompetence and academic achievement and positively associated withchildren’s psychological problems, father migration was positively associated with children’s positive adjustment, mainly through the mediationof maternal support. The results concerning the different implications offather migration and mother migration for children’s adjustment and thecritical role of maternal support represent a significant contribution to theunderstanding of human development in the contemporary rural Chinesecontext. The results are also useful for policy-makers and professionals todevelop programs and strategies to help rural left-behind children in China.