Depressive symptoms and negative life events: What psycho-social factors protect or harm left-behind children in China?

Table 2 Comparison between NLBC and LBC regarding depressive symptoms and NLES (N = 6227)

Instrumental values	F^a	Partial η ²	Mean (SD)
			NLBC	LBC
			(n = 2046)	(n = 4181)
Overall MANCOVA Test
Wilks’ Lambda = 0. 98	13.77^***	0.17
Univariate ANCOVA Tests
Depressive symptoms	5.93^***	0.001	13.61(6.18)	14.27(6.35)
Total NLES	37.26^***	0.006	42.14(25.16)	47.28(24.50)
Interpersonal conflict	28.81^***	0.005	9.80(4.95)	10.17(4.97)
Academic pressure	33.94^***	0.005	9.36(5.00)	9.92(5.06)
Punishment	17.49^***	0.003	10.51(7.48)	11.02(7.80)
Loss	10.46^***	0.002	5.55(4.58)	5.81(4.56)
Health and adaptation problem	84.22^***	0.013	6.10(4.25)	6.72(4.15)
Other negative events	8.70^***	0.001	5.05(4.16)	5.26(4.33)

Note: The dependent variables were depressive symptom, total NLES, stress induced by interpersonal conflict, academic pressure, punishment, loss, health and adaptation problem, and other types of negative events
NLBC non-left-behind children, LBC left-behind rural children, MANCOVA multiple analysis of covariance, ANCOVA analysis of covariance, NLES negative-life-event-induced stress, SD standard deviation
^*** p < 0.001
^aF value was from MANCOVA and ANCOVA results, adjusted for age, ethnicity, home place, parental marriage status, only child in family, studying at boarding school and family income

ISSN: 1471-244X