Common mental health problems in rural-to-urban migrant workers in Shenzhen, China: prevalence and risk factors

Abstract

CMHPs are very prevalent among Chinese migrant workers. Given the large number of Chinese migrant workers, there is an urgent need to address the mental health burden of China's migrant worker population.

Depressive symptoms in Chinese assembly‐line migrant workers: A case study in the shoe‐making industry

“…Because of the poor living and working conditions of migrant workers, rural‐to‐urban migration in China may be a process of healthy selection: Only those who are healthy enough to withstand the difficulties associated with migration can stay and work long in the cities (Zhong et al, ). In general, young workers should have a short duration of stay in the cities, and they, therefore, are more likely to be physically and mentally unhealthy.…”

Nonfatal Suicidal Behaviors of Chinese Rural‐to‐Urban Migrant Workers: Attitude Toward Suicide Matters

“…This study was part of a large‐scale survey, which examined the mental health, ATS, and suicidal behaviors of a representative sample of MWs from ten manufacturing factories in the largest migrant city in China—Shenzhen, between August 2012 and January 2013 (Zhong et al., , ). Eligible participants for this study were those who had migrated from rural villages to work in manufacturing factories, aged 16 years and above, and not registered as urban residents at the time of the survey.…”

“…Eligible participants for this study were those who had migrated from rural villages to work in manufacturing factories, aged 16 years and above, and not registered as urban residents at the time of the survey. Details of the sampling and recruitment process can be found in previous articles by the authors’ team (Zhong et al., , , ).…”

“…However, what is counterintuitive is that findings from empirical studies show comparable prevalence of nonfatal suicidal behaviors (ideation, plan, and attempt) and major depression, the strongest risk factor for suicidal behaviors, between MWs and their rural and urban counterparts (Dai et al., ; Li et al., ; Zhong et al., ). On the other hand, there is convincing evidence that MWs have more psychological symptoms than the general population (Zhong et al., , , , ). It is therefore possible that some other factors such as ATS may be involved in the etiology of suicidal behaviors of MWs, influencing their risk of suicide.…”

The Tsinghua–Lancet Commission on Healthy Cities in China: unlocking the power of cities for a healthy China

“…164 The prevalence of mental health problems is high among migrant workers. For example, a survey 165 in Shenzhen estimated that 34·4% of migrant workers had mental health problems. However, only a small portion of people have been diagnosed and treated.…”