A scoping review of parental migration and left-behind children's well-being in China

Abstract

The well-being of children from migrant families is often compromised by numerous challenges that may impede their development. In rural China, the Hukou registration system restricts internal migration, leading to an estimated 9 million left-behind children (LBC) in 2020 who are lacking parental care and supervision as a result of labor migration. This scoping review synthesizes findings from 30 studies to offer a comprehensive overview of the literature, revealing the mixed associations between parental migration and LBC's physical, mental, and educational outcomes. while the lack of parental involvement places LBC at a disadvantage, remittances from migrant parents are positively associated with their well-being, potentially contributing to mixed associations. Moreover, social support emerges as a crucial moderating factor. The findings also indicate that the migration of both parents—or specifically the mother—and migration both in early childhood and in adolescence may exacerbate the disadvantages LBC face. The study concludes with implications for future research and strategies to enhance the well-being of LBC.