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Acculturative Stress of Chinese Rural-To-Urban Migrant Workers: A Qualitative Study

Author

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  • Bao-Liang Zhong
  • Tie-Bang Liu
  • Jian-Xing Huang
  • Helene H Fung
  • Sandra S M Chan
  • Yeates Conwell
  • Helen F K Chiu

Abstract

Background: Global literature has suggested a negative impact of acculturative stress on both physical and mental health among international migrants. In China, approximately 20 percent of its population is rural-to-urban migrant workers and there are significant cultural differences between rural and urban societies, but no data are available regarding the acculturative stress of Chinese migrant workers. This study aimed to explore the forms and contexts of acculturative stress among Chinese migrant workers. Methods: Qualitative data were collected from four focus group discussions with 17 Chinese rural-to-urban migrant workers and three individual interviews with three medical professionals who provided mental health services for factory-workers in Shenzhen, China. Results: The data in the current study showed that rural-to-urban migrant workers in China had experienced various forms of acculturative stress including difficulties in adapting to the environment, work-related stress, family-related stress, financial hardship, and lack of sense of belonging to cities. Conclusion: Rural-to-urban migration in China is a challenging transition with significant acculturative stress and demands for major adjustments among migrant workers. The assessment and management of acculturative stress is a necessary first step in providing mental health services to migrant workers.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0157530
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157530
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
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    1. Jinhyoung Kim, 2022. "Changes in the Distribution of Migrant Labourers and Implications of Comprehensive Wealth in China’s Urbanisation," China Report, , vol. 58(2), pages 171-193, May.
    2. Xiao Yu Zhuang & Daniel Fu Keung Wong, 2017. "Differential impacts of social support on mental health: A comparison study of Chinese rural-to-urban migrant adolescents and their urban counterparts in Beijing, China," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 63(1), pages 48-56, February.
    3. Yang, Hongbo & Dietz, Thomas & Yang, Wu & Zhang, Jindong & Liu, Jianguo, 2018. "Changes in Human Well-being and Rural Livelihoods Under Natural Disasters," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 184-194.
    4. Qiang He & Xin Deng & Chuan Li & Zhongcheng Yan & Yanbin Qi, 2022. "The Impact of Rural Population Mobility on Fertility Intention under the Comprehensive Two-Child Policy: Evidence from Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-17, June.
    5. 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.
    6. Yuxi Liu & Rassamee Sangthong & Thammasin Ingviya & Chonghua Wan, 2019. "Nothing Like Living with a Family: A Qualitative Study of Subjective Well-Being and its Determinants among Migrant and Local Elderly in Dongguan, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-15, December.
    7. Nicola Mucci & Veronica Traversini & Gabriele Giorgi & Eleonora Tommasi & Simone De Sio & Giulio Arcangeli, 2019. "Migrant Workers and Psychological Health: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-28, December.
    8. Hou, Liqi & Wang, Chao & Bai, Xiaoxi & Tang, Xinfeng, 2020. "“Life is like this, not as good as poetry”: The lived experience of a Chinese rural vocational school student in a mandatory quasi-employment internship," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).

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