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The Resilience of Migrant Workers in Shanghai China: the Roles of Migration Stress and Meaning of Migration

Author

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  • Daniel Fu Keung Wong

    (Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, dfkwong@hkucc.hku.hk)

  • He Xue Song

    (Department of Social Work, East China University of Science and Technology, China)

Abstract

Background: In China, more than 10 million rural migrants move to cities every year. Because of the Household Registration System, migrant workers are not entitled to subsidised housing, education, social security or medical benefits. Aims: Using a resilience perspective, this study attempted to explore not only the migration stress that is experienced by migrant workers, but also the protective function of meaning of migration in helping migrant workers withstand the stress of migration. Method: A survey design with multistage cluster sampling was used and 475 migrant workers were recruited. The questionnaire contained demographic data, the Brief Symptom Inventory, a migration stress scale and meaning of migration scale. Results: Financial and employment difficulties stood out as the most stressful issues for migrant workers. More financial and material gains and personal aspirations and achievement were the most common reasons for living in Shanghai. Regression analyses revealed that financial and employment difficulties and interpersonal tensions and conflicts significantly predicted the mental health of both male and female migrant workers. In addition, while marital status significantly predicted the mental health of male migrant workers, the subscale `more financial and material gains' in the meaning of migration scale predicted the mental health of female migrant workers. Finally, there was a moderating effect of meaning of migration on the mental health of female migrant workers. Conclusion: There is a need to consolidate and develop policies to protect the rights of migrant workers in China. Mental health counselling for migrant workers who are experiencing difficulties living in Shanghai should be introduced.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Fu Keung Wong & He Xue Song, 2008. "The Resilience of Migrant Workers in Shanghai China: the Roles of Migration Stress and Meaning of Migration," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(2), pages 131-143, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:54:y:2008:i:2:p:131-143
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764007083877
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhang, Kevin Honglin & Song, Shunfeng, 2003. "Rural-urban migration and urbanization in China: Evidence from time-series and cross-section analyses," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 14(4), pages 386-400.
    2. Robyn Iredale & Naren Bilik & Wang Su & Fei Guo & Caroline Hoy, 2001. "Contemporary Minority Migration, Education and Ethnicity in China," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2170.
    3. Ya Ping Wang & Alan Murie, 2000. "Social and Spatial Implications of Housing Reform in China," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(2), pages 397-417, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yan Guo & Xinguang Chen & Jie Gong & Fang Li & Chaoyang Zhu & Yaqiong Yan & Liang Wang, 2016. "Association between Spouse/Child Separation and Migration-Related Stress among a Random Sample of Rural-to-Urban Migrants in Wuhan, China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Nabila El-Bassel & Louisa Gilbert & Stacey A Shaw & Gaukhar Mergenova & Assel Terlikbayeva & Sholpan Primbetova & Xin Ma & Mingway Chang & Leyla Ismayilova & Tim Hunt & Brooke West & Elwin Wu & Chris , 2016. "The Silk Road Health Project: How Mobility and Migration Status Influence HIV Risks among Male Migrant Workers in Central Asia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Jin, Lei & Wen, Ming & Fan, Jessie X. & Wang, Guixin, 2012. "Trans-local ties, local ties and psychological well-being among rural-to-urban migrants in Shanghai," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(2), pages 288-296.
    4. Xiaohong Pan & Yingying Zhu & Qing Wang & Hui Zheng & Xin Chen & Jing Su & Zhihang Peng & Rongbin Yu & Ning Wang, 2013. "Prevalence of HIV, Syphilis, HCV and Their High Risk Behaviors among Migrant Workers in Eastern China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(2), pages 1-9, February.

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