Early left-behind experiences on attachment of migrant adolescents

Objective To explore possible impacts of early left-behind experiences on attachment of migrant adolescents.Methods A total of 763 migrant adolescents with left-behind experiences were classified as left-behind group(LBG),781 migrant adolescents without left-behind experiences were classified as non-left-behind group(NLBG).All subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire survey,attachment was assessed by Revised Version of Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA-R).Results The LBG group scored significandy lower on mother trust,mother communication,father trust,father communication and mother attachment,father attachment than that of the NLBG group(t=-5.852,-5.966,-4.258,-4.313,-7.041,-5.19,P<0.01).Also,they scored significantly lower in mother alienation,father alienation and peer alienation than that of NLBG group(t=5.616,3.313,2.593,P<0.01).The LBG group and NLBG group showed no significant differences on peer trust,peer communication and peer attachment(P>O.05).Multiple linear regression showed that,for the LBG group,age was the risk factor for mother trust,mother communication,mother attachment,father trust,father attachment,peer attachment and protective factor for mother alienation,father alienation and peer alienation.Meeting parents every month during the separation period was protective for mother and father attachment total score.Separation with parents was risk factor for peer trust,peer communication and peer attachment total score.During the separation,grandparents care was risk factor for father alienation and peer alienation.Separation with parents at the age of 4-5 years old was protective for peer attachment.Conclusion The experience of left-behind might compromise attachment with parents during adolescence.Improving parenting environment will help to promote migrant children's mental health.