关键词: 困境留守儿童, 社会排斥, 心理健康

Abstract: Children in distressed families are one of the most disadvantaged groups in survival and development, and also in need of protection from public policies. Most children in the distressed families are left-behind children, suffering from health problems. Based on the survey data of “Research on the health status of children in distressed families”, this paper focuses on mental health of left-behind children in distressed families, and also explores the factors contributing to their mental health problems from the perspective of social exclusion. The results show that, compared to other children in rural areas, the mental health problem of left-behind children in distressed families is severer. Further analysis suggests that the social exclusion faced by these children is an important factor leading to mental health risks. Aside from family development related policies, a child-friendly community environment reducing the exclusion and marginalization and promoting the social integration of left-behind children in distressed families is also needed to improve their health status.

Keywords: Left-behind Children in Distressed Families, Social Exclusion, Mental Health