Mental Health of Disadvantaged Children

There has been a significant increase in the number of research on the mental health of disadvantaged children worldwide. According to previous studies, disadvantaged children include children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, children left behind, immigrant children, and children with learning disabilities etc. Numerous studies have shown that disadvantaged children face numerous challenges during childhood, such as poverty, disrupted school attendance, lack of parental guidance, and stigmatisation. All these negative events can cause significant stress for children and consequently have a long-term negative impact on their mental health. Although previous literature has discussed the development of mental health in different vulnerable groups, there is limited research that comprehensively examines the developmental trend and intervention strategies in disadvantaged children.

This Research Topic aims to bring together theoretical and empirical advances that address the mental health of disadvantaged children. We are interested in studies that address the current benefits, advantages, limitations, and challenges affecting the mental health of disadvantaged children worldwide, the mental disorders and neurological changes that result from adverse environments, as well as the effective intervention strategies and policies to improve the mental health of disadvantaged children.

In general, both quantitative and qualitative empirical contributions are welcome, including interdisciplinary research that may address, but is not limited to, the following list of potential research questions related to our main themes:

- Mental health characteristics of disadvantaged children.

- Risk and protective factors for the mental health of disadvantaged children.

- Intervention strategies for improving the mental health of disadvantaged children.

- Development and application of research methods in studies of disadvantaged children’s mental health.