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The influence of social stigma and discriminatory experience on psychological distress and quality of life among rural-to-urban migrants in China

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  • Wang, Bo
  • Li, Xiaoming
  • Stanton, Bonita
  • Fang, Xiaoyi

Abstract

The global literature has revealed a potential negative impact of social stigma on both physical and mental health among stigmatized individuals; however, the mechanisms through which social stigma affects the individual's quality of life and mental health are not well understood. This research simultaneously examines the relationships of several determinants and mediating factors of psychological distress and quality of life. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey among 1006 adult (predominantly male) rural-to-urban migrants in 2004-2005 in Beijing, China. Participants reported on their perceived social stigma, discriminatory experiences in daily life, preparation for migration, discrepancy between expectation and reality, coping with stigma-related stress, psychological distress, and quality of life. Structural equation modeling was performed. We found that perceived social stigma and discriminatory experiences had direct negative effects on psychological distress and quality of life among rural-to-urban migrants. Expectation-reality discrepancy mediated the effects of perceived social stigma and discriminatory experiences on psychological distress and quality of life; coping mediated the effect of social stigma on quality of life. Psychological distress was associated with quality of life. Preparation prior to migration was positively related to coping skills, which were positively related to quality of life. We conclude that perceived social stigma and daily discriminatory experiences have a significant influence on psychological distress and quality of life among rural-to-urban migrants. Pre-migration training with a focus on establishment of effective coping skills and preparation of migration may be helpful to improve their quality of life and mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Bo & Li, Xiaoming & Stanton, Bonita & Fang, Xiaoyi, 2010. "The influence of social stigma and discriminatory experience on psychological distress and quality of life among rural-to-urban migrants in China," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(1), pages 84-92, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:71:y:2010:i:1:p:84-92
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    11. Jun-Qing Wu & Ke-Wei Wang & Rui Zhao & Yu-Yan Li & Ying Zhou & Yi-Ran Li & Hong-Lei Ji & Ming Ji, 2014. "Male Rural-to-Urban Migrants and Risky Sexual Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study in Shanghai, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, March.
    12. Yabiku, Scott T. & Agadjanian, Victor & Cau, Boaventura, 2012. "Labor migration and child mortality in Mozambique," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(12), pages 2530-2538.
    13. Wei-hsin Yu & Chi-Tsun Chiu, 2016. "Growing Pains: Changes in Psychological Well-Being in Urban China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 129(3), pages 1349-1382, December.
    14. Min Yang & Martin Dijst & Marco Helbich, 2018. "Mental Health among Migrants in Shenzhen, China: Does it Matter Whether the Migrant Population is Identified by Hukou or Birthplace?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-11, November.
    15. Bao-Liang Zhong & Tie-Bang Liu & Jian-Xing Huang & Helene H Fung & Sandra S M Chan & Yeates Conwell & Helen F K Chiu, 2016. "Acculturative Stress of Chinese Rural-To-Urban Migrant Workers: A Qualitative Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, June.
    16. Xiang Kang & Mingxi Du & Siqin Wang & Haifeng Du, 2022. "Exploring the Effect of Health on Migrants’ Social Integration in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-20, April.
    17. Winky Wong & Kee-Lee Chou & Nelson Chow, 2012. "Correlates of Quality of Life in New Migrants to Hong Kong from Mainland China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 107(2), pages 373-391, June.
    18. Zheng Wang & Fangzhu Zhang & Fulong Wu, 2016. "Intergroup neighbouring in urban China: Implications for the social integration of migrants," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 53(4), pages 651-668, March.
    19. Chu-Hong Lu & Zhong-Cheng Luo & Jia-Ji Wang & Jian-Hu Zhong & Pei-Xi Wang, 2015. "Health-Related Quality of Life and Health Service Utilization in Chinese Rural-to-Urban Migrant Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-10, February.
    20. Xinguang Chen & Bin Yu & Jie Gong & Peigang Wang & Amy L. Elliott, 2018. "Social Capital Associated with Quality of Life Mediated by Employment Experiences: Evidence from a Random Sample of Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 139(1), pages 327-346, August.
    21. Zhilin Liu & Yiming Tan & Yanwei Chai, 2020. "Neighbourhood-scale public spaces, inter-group attitudes and migrant integration in Beijing, China," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 57(12), pages 2491-2509, September.

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