Mental health and dropout behavior: A cross-sectional study of junior high students in northwest rural China. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Huan; Yang, Chu; He, Fei; Shi, Yaojiang; Qu, Qinghe; Rozelle, Scott; Chu, James
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational development. Volume 41(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Mental health -- Rural China -- Junior high -- Dropout; Education -- Periodicals; Education -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Education -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Périodiques; Education; Periodicals; 370.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2014.12.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-0593

Abstract

Highlights: The overall goal of this study is to examine the relationship between dropout and mental health problems in rural Chinese junior high schools. Using data from a randomly sampled group of 4665 students across rural China, we find the dropout rate between the first two years of junior high is 13%, 74% students are at risk for mental health problems. Even after controlling for these background characteristics, we find that mental health problems remain correlated with dropout rates. First, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that draws on a random sample to examine mental health problems in rural China, where the majority of school-aged children reside. Second, the paper offers actionable implications for practitioners: in addition to identifying the kinds of students who are most at risk for mental health problems, the paper suggests how interventions that target student mental health may also be necessary in decreasing dropout rates. Abstract: Background: Junior high dropout rates are up to 25% in poor, rural areas of China. Although existing studies have examined how factors such as high tuition and opportunity costs contribute to dropout, fewer studies have explored the relationship between dropout rates and mental health in rural China. The overall goal of this study is to examine the relationship between dropout and mental health problems in rural Chinese junior high schools. Methods: Correlational analysis was conducted among 4840 students across 38 junior high schools in rural China. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions were used to determine the types of students most at risk for mental health problems and whether mental health problems are correlated with dropout behavior. Our measure for mental health is based on the Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale. Results: Mental health problems are widespread in the sample of rural children, with 74% of students at risk for mental health problems. The student and family characteristics that correlate with dropout (poverty and low achievement) also correlate with mental health problems. More importantly, even after controlling for these background characteristics, mental health problems remain correlated with dropout rates. Conclusions: Mental health problems, especially among low-achieving poor students, may be contributing to the high dropout rates in rural China today. This finding suggests that interventions focusing on mental health in rural areas may also help reduce dropout.