Dynamics and predictors of resilience in Chinese rural children: a follow-up study

ABSTRACT

The present study attempted to investigate dynamics and predictors of resilience amongst Chinese children using prospective data. Totally 816 children completed the resilience measurement at baseline and one-year follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine associations between high resilience and predictor variables. Mean resilience scores increased during the one-year follow-up (t = −2.35, P = 0.019). Although the proportions of high and low resilience were relatively stable, whereas 28% of children had inconsistent resilience level during the follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that participants’ parents having secondary school (adjusted OR (aOR) = 1.67, 95%CI = 1.14–2.44) or higher (aOR = 2.53, 95%CI = 1.51–4.24) education level, and high quality of life (aOR = 1.81, 95%CI = 1.20–2.73) were positively associated with high resilience, whereas moderate family function obstacles (aOR = 0.47, 95%CI = 0.34–0.67), abuse experience (aOR = 0.68, 95%CI = 0.50–0.92), and significant depression symptoms (aOR = 0.47, 95%CI = 0.28–0.77) were negatively associated with high resilience. Results highlight that resilience levels were not merely static trait and improved over one year among Chinese children. Findings would deepen understanding of resilience change and provide potential targets of resilience-focused intervention in children.

KEYWORDS:

• Children
• resilience
• longitudinal study
• mental health

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81172763; No. 81872704).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 81172763; No. 81872704].