JOURNAL ARTICLE

Understanding Mental Health Stigma in Chinese Left-Behind Children: A Study on School Readiness, Self-Esteem, and Home Environment.

  • Published In: Urban Education, 2026, v. 61, n. 3. P. 484 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Jie, Zhang; Xin Zhong, Chen 3 of 3

Abstract

This study investigates mental health stigma among Chinese left-behind children (LBC), focusing on the roles of self-esteem, school readiness (SR), and a predictable home environment. Using data from 312 teachers at boarding schools in China and partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the research finds that higher SR is significantly associated with reduced mental health stigma, with self-esteem mediating this relationship. Additionally, a predictable home environment positively moderates the link between SR and mental health stigma but does not moderate the relationship between SR and self-esteem. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing SR, fostering self-esteem, and promoting stable home routines to mitigate mental health stigma in LBC, offering insights for targeted interventions and policy development.

Additional Information

  • Source:Urban Education. 2026/03, Vol. 61, Issue 3, p484
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Education
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0042-0859
  • DOI:10.1177/00420859251325258
  • Accession Number:190799056
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