Couple migration patterns, gender power relationships and later-life depression in China

Background: Although migration is almost always a family decision, the couple’s perspective is overlooked in the study of migration and health. In China, family migration patterns have diversified and become more complex, making it vital to understand the consequences of this trend on well-being. Objective: This study aims to investigate: (1) the common migration patterns among Chinese couples; (2) the association between couple migration patterns and the mental health of men and women in later life. Methods: Using unique couple-level life history data, this study employs multichannel sequence analysis to identify typical couple migration patterns, and seemingly unrelated regressions to examine the couple migration–mental health nexus. Results: The results show that wives who reunite with their migrant husbands at the destinations have fewer depressive symptoms in later life than left-behind wives whose husbands migrate alone for a short term or a long term. However, no substantial group differences in depressive symptoms were found between migration groups among men. Wives possessing an independent bank account can partly explain the gender differences in later-life depression. Conclusions: The findings imply that a family-oriented migration policy is vital to improve the well-being of both migrants and their family members who are left behind. Contribution: This study also contributes to the literature by foregrounding the couple’s perspective and gender dynamics in the analysis of migration and later-life mental health.