DETERMINANTS OF SELF-RATED PHYSICAL HEALTH AND SELF-RATED MENTAL HEALTH OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Abstract

This study analyzes the determinants of self-rated physical health (SRPH) and self-rated mental health (SRMH) of middle school students in the People's Republic of China. The primary explanatory variables of interest are perceived economic status, parent-child relationship and pressure from parental expectations for children’s academic attainment. The secondary data comes from the China Education Panel Survey, a nationally representative survey conducted by the Renmin University of China and other provincial universities in 2013-2014. The data set used in this study comprises data from 7th graders and 9th graders (11,857 observations in total). Binary logit regressions were estimated to analyze the data. The SRPH and SRMH of 7th and 9th grade students are relatively good and the key determinants of interest are statistically significant. Higher perceived economic status, better parent-child relationship and less pressure from parental expectations for children's academic attainment are positively related with SRPH and SRMH. The coefficients for most control variables have the expected sign and are statistically significant. The sub-sample analyses revealed some differences between 7th graders and 9th graders. Governments could increase the subsidy for poor students, and also encourage socially warm-hearted people to support poor students. Besides, comprehensive school counseling should be promoted and new subjects for life-coping skills could be offered to help students deal with parental pressures. Also, the government could organize counseling for parents on how to improve the relationship with their children.