Living with grandparents: Multi-generational families and the academic performance of grandchildren in China

2021 ◽  
pp. 2057150X2110283
Author(s):  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Yuxiao Wu

Previous studies on social stratification and intergenerational mobility have mostly focused on the effects of parents on their children’s socioeconomic status (SES) attainment, but less attention has been paid to the important role played by grandparents in the life chances of their grandchildren, and its underlying mechanism. By analyzing a national survey sample data of junior high school students in China, this study examines the influence factors of living with grandparents and their effect on the academic performance of adolescents, and the intermediate mechanism. The study finds that (a) three-generation cohabitation occurs when there is a functional need for the nuclear family, and children with lower SES, working mothers, or single-parent families are more likely to experience cohabitation between grandparents and grandchildren; (b) living with grandparents has significant positive effects on adolescents’ academic performance after controlling for other factors; (c) the effect of living with grandparents is moderated by the family’s SES and family structure, and students from lower-SES or single-parent families benefit more from living with grandparents; and (d) living with grandparents to a certain extent benefits grandchildren’s academic performance by enhancing family social capital investment. Households in which grandparents cohabit invest significantly more in the social capital of children than those who do not have grandparents cohabiting. The results of this study show that in modern society, family kinship networks still play a very important role in the status attainment and social mobility of individuals. Therefore, scholars should pay more attention to the important role of extended families in social stratification and mobility and its micro-mechanisms.

Author(s):  
Mahama, Inuusah ◽  
Kwaw, Regine ◽  
Mensah, Kwame Jonathan ◽  
Acheampong, Ebenezer ◽  
Marfo, Richard

Aims: This study sought to explore the moderating role of gender in the relationship between creative thinking and academic performance in English Language and Mathematics among Junior High School students in the Aboom Circuit, Cape Coast. Study Design: The design for the study is correlational espousing the quantitative approach. The study was guided by two research hypotheses, which were tested using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and Andrew F. Hayes Moderation Process. The instruments for the data collection were Kumar, Kemmler and Holman (1997) Creativity Styles Questionnaire-Revised (CSQ-R) and standardised-type test developed by experts in the various subject areas. Results: The study revealed significant relationship between creative thinking and academic performance of students (English Language: r=.432, n=140, p=0.05, p=.003, 2-tailed; Mathematics: r=.401, n=140 p=0.05, p=0.000, 2-talied). The study further revealed that gender moderated significantly in the relationship between creativity and academic performance (English Language: b=-.276, t=-2.398, CI= -.485, -.088; Mathematics: b=-.300, t=-2.198, CI= -.564, -.070). As such, male respondents had higher creative thinking effect in English Language and Mathematics than female respondents (b=.371, t=4.608, CI [.212, .530; b=.219, t=2.286, CI [.030, .407]). Conclusion: Creative thinking indeed relates to performance, as such, it was recommended  that creative thinking should be nurtured among all students in J.H.S. In addition, stakeholders in education should consider including creative thinking in the curriculum and pay special attention to nurturing creative think in female students so that they could match up with their male counterparts.


Author(s):  
Yan Luo ◽  
Zhenti Cui ◽  
Ping Zou ◽  
Kai Wang ◽  
Zihan Lin ◽  
...  

Approximately one in five adolescents experience mental health problems globally. However, studies on mental health problems in Chinese high school students are few. Therefore, this study examined the status and associated factors of mental health problems in high school students in China. A stratified two-stage cluster sampling procedure was adopted, leading to a final sample of 15,055 participants from 46 high schools in all 17 provincial cities of Henan province, China. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect the data. A mental health problems variable was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory of Middle School Students. The positive rate of mental health problems among high school students was 41.8%, with a male predominance (43.3% versus 40.2% in females; p < 0.01). The most frequent mental health problem was academic stress (58.9%). Higher grades, physical disease, chronic constipation, alcohol consumption, engagement in sexual behavior, residence on campus, and living in nonurban areas and with single-parent families were significantly associated with higher odds of having mental health problems (p < 0.05). We suggest that the prevention of mental health problems in high school students be strengthened, especially in students with physical illnesses, unhealthy behaviors, and single-parent families.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Ratu Meulya Rezeki ◽  
Soedjatmiko Soedjatmiko ◽  
Abdul Latief

Background Excessive screen media exposures have manynegative impacts on children, including academic performance.Studies on the impacts of screen media on academic performancehave been limited, especially in Indonesia.Objective To assess screen media use and academic performanceof7th graders in a junior high school, and to evaluate other factorspotentially affecting student academic performance.Methods This was a cross-sectional study using surveys,questionnaires, and 12-day logbooks, conducted from May toJuly 2012. Students were 129 students in the 7,h grade of JuniorHigh Sch ool 115 in Jakarta and selected by consecutive sampling.Chi square test and multivariate analyses with logistic regressioncalculations were used for statistical analysis.Results The prevalences of students using screen media for > 2hours per day were 39.5% on weekdays and 64.3% on weekends.The prevalence of students using screen media that was notappropriate for their age was 69% on weekdays and 63.6% onweekends. Screen media content on weekdays and weekendshad no impact on academic performance (OR 0.56; 95%CI 0.26to 1.20; P=0.136 and OR 0.97; 95%CI 0.47 to 1.00; P=0.934,respectively) . In addition, the duration of screen media useon weekdays and weekends had no association with academicperformance (OR 0.60; 95%CI 0.30 to 1.23; P=0.161 andOR 0.90; 95%CI 0.44 to 1.86; P=0.782, respectively). Factorssignificantly associated with students' above average academicperformance were female gender (OR 3 .26; 95%CI 1.38 to7.74; P=0.007), superior intelligence quotient (IQ) comparedto average IQ (OR 4.63; 95%CI 1.66 to 12.9; P=0.003), highlysuperior IQ compared to average IQ (OR 5.45; 95%CI 1.51 to19.64; P=0.009), as well as achievement motivation and existenceof learning strategy, including intermediate vs. low motivation(OR 4.09; 95%CI 1.14 to 14.7 ; P=0.031), and high vs . lowmotivation (OR61.1; 95%CI 7.42 to 502.95; P<0.001); lack ofemotional and behavioral problems (OR 0.45; 95%CI 0.37-0.54;P= 0.01); and democratic parenting style (OR 0.45; 95%CI 0.37to 0.55; P=0.022).Conclusion There is no association between screen media useand academic performance in junior high school students. Factorssignificantly associated with above average academic performanceare female gender, superior and very superior IQ score, middleand high achievement motivation and learning strategy, lack ofemotional and behavioral problems, and democratic parentingstyle.


2018 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 506-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiamei Guo

The crude divorce rate has been increasing steadily for over a decade in China. Consequently, more and more children have to face the challenge of growing up in single parent families. The current study investigated the mediating effects of problem-oriented and emotion-oriented coping on the relationship between parental attachment and psychological resilience among a sample of Chinese adolescents from single parent families and intact families. Participants were 975 high school students (44.30% males; aged 15–19 years, M = 16.32 years, SD = 0.74), 871 from intact families and 104 from single parent families. Structural equation modeling showed that security in maternal attachment was positively associated with resilience through the indirect effect of reduced emotion-oriented coping among adolescents from single parent families. Among adolescents from intact families, security in maternal attachment was both directly associated with resilience and indirectly through enhanced problem-oriented and reduced emotion-oriented coping. Security in paternal attachment was associated with resilience both directly and indirectly through enhanced problem-oriented coping as well among those from intact families. Female adolescents exhibited significantly lower levels of resilience than male adolescents did regardless of the marital status of their parents. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingchun Nie ◽  
Wei Nie ◽  
Ming Mu ◽  
Lifang Zhang ◽  
Shuyi Song ◽  
...  

AbstractIn September 2013, 2248 students from 36 junior high schools in Shaanxi Province underwent assessment of visual acuity (VA), completed a questionnaire about their spectacle use and were administered a standardized mathematics examination. Among 2,248 students (mean age 13.6 years, 52% male), visual impairment was present in 699 (31%, 95% Confidence Interval 29-33%). Spectacle wear was observed in 360 of 966 children needing glasses (37%). Ownership of spectacles among children needing glasses was associated with poorer uncorrected vision in the better-seeing eye (P <0.001) and paternal educational (p=0.001), but not age, sex, boarding at school, both parents having out-migrated for work or maternal education. Spectacle ownership among children with visual impairment was associated with better test performance (P=0.035). Therefore, visual impairment and non-wear of spectacle were common. Wearing spectacles was associated with better academic performance in this cross-sectional analysis, consistent with recent trial results among younger children.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-52
Author(s):  
Cecile S. Gentova ◽  
Dennis V. Madrigal

Classroom climate is a comprehensive set of educational, psychological, social, cognitive, organizational, and physical variables that may affect the academic achievement of learners. Perceptions of students in their learning environment affect the way they perform in the classroom. However, classroom climate is a less explored construct creating much dearth on the local literature. Hence, the paper aimed to determine the degree of classroom climate in terms of discipline, learning, assessment, student interactions, attitude, and culture. Moreover, it also assessed if a significant difference exists when assessors are grouped according to the designation. Likewise, it determines the correlation between classroom climate and academic performance of junior high school students in a public school in Antique. 


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