Children in rural China enjoyed a significant increase in quality of life from 2009 to 2011

Aim Little is known about the long-term change in quality of life (QoL) among children in rural China. This study longitudinally examined changes and predictors of QoL among children in one rural county between 2009 and 2011. Methods We interviewed 816 children from seven to 16 years of age in 2009 and 2011 using a range of QoL tools. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between follow-up QoL and socio-demographic, family environment and psychosocial factors. Results Overall QoL scores improved significantly from 71.1 ± 14.6 to 72.8 ± 16.3 (p = 0.005). QoL was positively related to annual family income (β = 0.14, p < 0.001) and baseline QoL (β = 0.21, p < 0.001) and negatively related to older age (β = −0.19, p < 0.001), being female (β = −0.08, p = 0.011), being left in the care of family members by working parents (β = −0.09, p = 0.004), negative coping styles (β = −0.10, p = 0.005) and depression (β = −0.11, p = 0.006). Conclusion Quality of life significantly improved among children in rural China over a two-year period from 2009 to 2011. It was positively related to annual family income and baseline QoL and negatively related to older age, being female, being left in the care of family members by working parents, negative coping styles and depression.