An overview of only child family mental health in China

Abstract

This author reviewed most of the recent literature and research including three major studies in Shanghai, Changsha and Beijing as well as the authors' studies, including the 4 and 6 year follow-up studies in Nanjing. Most of the research undertaken in the USA and other Western countries and in China challenges the negative view of the only child described as 'selfish', 'lonely' or 'maladjusted'. The results showed no significant differences between the only child and the child with siblings, in terms of the prevalence of behavior problems except that certain items needed attention. In 4 and 6 year follow-up studies the developmental impact of being an only child or being a child without sibling was found to be different. However, the difference was not at a clinical level, but in behavior patterns or traits which clearly revealed many variables that were 'functional' in nature and related to child rearing. The data from these studies reflected only the comparison between groups of only children versus children with siblings. As individuals, behavior problems dominated in only a few children without siblings.