Adolescent mental health is a global public health concern and parental migration has been identified as a risk factor. However, the effect mechanism remained unclear. A total of 2,737 participants (mean = 11.93, SD = 1.23) were recruited from twelve schools in migrant-sending areas in Zhejiang and Anhui provinces. The participants responded to items in Child Depression Inventory, Parent–Adolescent Communication Scale, Olweus Bully or Victim Questionnaire and socio-demographic questions. Serial multiple mediation models were analysed using the bootstrapping method. Current and previous left-behind (LB) experience were significantly associated with higher risks of depression, non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation (p < 0.05). Mother–adolescent communication and school bullying victimisation, in serial order, mediated the effect of current LB status on mental health (p < 0.05). In terms of previously LB adolescents, parent–adolescent communication was a standalone mediator (p < 0.01) and the serial mediation effect of parent–adolescent communication and school bullying victimisation was significant. Lack of parent–adolescent communication and school bullying victimisation acted as risk factors for the negative effect of LB status or experience on adolescent mental health. The importance of these two interpersonal factors motivates future intervention initiatives to support the mental health of LB adolescents from an integrated perspective.
This study assesses whether farmers’ suicides were associated with the pesticide use in Spain. The cohort study followed 9.5 million men aged 20–64 years who were employed in 2001. The mortality among farmers and non-farmers during the period 2001–2011 was estimated in a geographical area with high pesticide use and in an area with low pesticide use. For three major causes of death (suicide, unintentional accidents, and rest of causes of death), we estimated the age-standardized mortality rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) between farmers and non-farmers in both areas. Farmers in the high pesticide use area showed a lower mortality rate of suicide and unintentional accidents than farmers in the rest of Spain, with mortality rate ratios of 0.74 (95% CI 0.65–0.85) and 0.57 (95% CI 0.52–0.62), respectively. Our findings on pesticide use and farmers’ suicide are different from those observed in several previous investigations.
Background: Parental mass media use can influence early childhood development (ECD), but evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited, especially regarding comparisons between mothers and fathers. Methods: We analyzed MICS6 data from 23 LMICs, using the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) to assess children’s developmental status. Parental media use was measured by type, frequency, and number of media used. Poisson regression models were applied, adjusting for child, parental, and household characteristics. The final sample included 30,369 children. Findings: 57·77% of children were developmentally on track. Fathers’ mass media use was significantly associated with a reduced risk of developmental delay (IRR = 0·92, 95% CI: 0·86-0·98), while mothers’ media use showed no independent effect. Fathers with low to moderate media use and fewer media types showed protective effects. Significant interactive effects were found: children of parents using media at moderate or high frequencies had the lowest risk of delay. Interpretation: Moderate paternal media use improves ECD outcomes in LMICs. Coordinated media use by both parents provides additional benefits. ECD interventions could engage both parents through culturally relevant media, emphasizing the quality and purpose of content.