Differences in School Performance Between Only Children and Non-only Children: Evidence From China

Frontiers in Psychology

Zhaoxi Yang¹  Chaochao Jia²  Youfa Li²  Tao Yang²  Tao Xin²  Yehui Wang² 

[1] Shanghai Minhang Education Evaluation and Research Center, Shanghai, China;The Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment for Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China;

关键词: only child;    mathematics achievement;    physical fitness;    school well-being;    propensity score;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.608704

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

This study aimed to investigate the features of only child status related to physical health, mathematics achievement, and school feelings and expectations from a different perspective. A representative sample of 91,619 Grade 4 students with an average age of 10.4 ± 0.7, among which 28,631 were only children, were assessed. We used propensity score matching (PSM) and the average treatment effects on the treatment to analyze data. The treatment was the only child of a family. The results indicated that only children have better academic achievement and school feelings (only for urban only child girls), while non-only children have better physical status and anaerobic fitness (AF). In addition, gender and rural vs. urban areas differences were also explored. The adverse situation for rural only boys is emphasized for families, researchers, and governments to focus on. Some suggestions are given under the Two- and Three-Child Policy.

【 授权许可】

CC BY