Current status of preschool children neglect and the correlation with family characteristics of rural areas in Xi an
10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2026081
- VernacularTitle:西安市农村学龄前儿童忽视现状及其与家庭特征的关联
- Author:
YANG Wuyue, PAN Jianping, XIANG Xiaomei, DONG Ning, XI Xuan
1
Author Information
1. Department of Primary Healthcare, Xi an Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Xi an 710002，Shaanxi Province,China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Child abuse;
Family;
Mental health;
Child,preschool
- From:
Chinese Journal of School Health
2026;47(3):374-378
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To understand the current status of neglect among rural preschool children in Xi an under the multi child policy and the association with family characteristics, so as to provide a reference for preventing and reducing the occurrence of child neglect.
Methods:A total of 7 052 parents of preschool children were selected using stratified cluster sampling across 9 suburban counties/districts in Xi an from March to April 2025. A questionnaire survey was administered using the Chinese Norm Scale for Neglect Assessment of Rural(Preschool) Children Aged 3-6. The t-test, Chi-quare test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for inter group comparisons.
Results:The overall prevalence rate and mean score of neglect among rural preschool aged children in Xi an were 32.4% and 38.27±6.70, respectively. Statistically significant differences were detected in neglect rates and neglect degrees among preschool children of different genders and grade levels ( χ 2=30.41, 15.15, t/F =4.92,7.03, all P <0.05). Statistically significant differences were also detected in neglect rates and neglect degrees among preschool children from whether only one child, different family structures, numbers of children in a family and families with different annual incomes ( χ 2=29.22, 10.41 , 31.99, 186.47, t/F =-9.96, 5.50, 33.57, 68.63, all P <0.05). In multi child families, there was a statistically significant difference in neglect degree among children with different birth orders ( F =4.25, P <0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in neglect rate ( χ 2=5.73, P >0.05). Among all subgroups, the highest neglect rates and neglect degrees were observed in children from multi child families(35.0%,39.00±6.71), other family types(50.0%，42.38±12.34) and families with three children(39.9%，39.50±7.43). Lower annual family income was associated with higher neglect rates and neglect degrees among preschool children( χ 2 trend =186.47， F =270.68，both P <0.05).
Conclusions:Under the multiple child policy, the neglect of preschool children in rural areas of Xi an is quite severe, particularly in families with multiple children and low income households. Targeted interventions should be implemented for high risk groups.
