Parenting and parenting resources among Chinese parents with children under three years of age: rural and urban differences

BACKGROUND: Parenting is essential for children’s development and preventing child abuse and neglect. Providing parenting services within the primary health care settings demonstrated effectiveness in improving parenting quality. However, little is known about the status of parenting and parenting resources in rural areas and whether they differ between rural and urban areas in Mainland China. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the rural–urban differences in parenting and availability of, utilization of, and need for parenting resources among Chinese parents with children under three years of age. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A total of 425 parents of children under three years of age participated in an online survey between March and May 2020. METHODS: The Parenting and Family Adjustment Scale and Child Adjustment and Parenting Efficacy Scale were used to assess parenting, family adjustment, and parenting efficacy. The availability of, utilization of, and need for parenting resources were measured using self-developed questions based on literature. Chi-square tests, t tests, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to examine the differences in responses between parents in rural and urban areas. RESULTS: Compared with their urban counterparts, rural parents reported a higher level of negative parenting and more limited parenting resources. Both rural and urban parents reported low availability and utilization of parenting resources as well as a great need for parenting support services. CONCLUSIONS: Rural parents faced more parenting challenges and limited parenting resources compared with urban parents. Both rural and urban parents with children under three years of age reported great needs for parenting resources. These findings highlight the potential of delivering accessible, sustainable, and cost-effective parenting programs via the primary health care system for public welfare in both urban and rural areas, with more attention paid to rural parents to help them improve their parenting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12875-023-01993-y.