Mental Health Status and Related Characteristics of Chinese Male Rural–Urban Migrant Workers

Abstract

To explore mental health status and related characteristics in a sample of Chinese male rural-urban migrants. Subjects were 1,595 male rural-urban migrant workers selected though a multi-stage sample survey conducted in two cities (Hangzhou and Guangzhou). Data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Both life and work stressors were examined. Stress and mental health status were measured by the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS) and the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ), respectively. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with probable mental disorders. There are approximately 120 million rural-urban migrants in China. The prevalence of probable mental disorders in the sample population was 24.4% (95% CI: 23.3-25.5%), which was higher than among urban residents (20.2%, 95% CI: 18.8-21.7%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that five characteristics were positively associated with risk for probable mental disorders: originating in the South (OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.02, 4.00), higher life stress (OR = 7.63; 95% CI = 5.88, 10.00), staying in the city for 5-9 months each year (OR = 2.56; 95% CI = 1.67, 3.85), higher work stress (OR = 2.56; 95% CI = 1.96, 3.33), and separation from wife (OR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.61, 3.57). Employment in machinery and transportation (OR = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.36, 0.81) and higher self-worth (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.28, 0.62) were negatively associated. Findings support an urgent need to develop specific policies and programs to address mental health problems among Chinese rural-urban migrants.

Work stress, life stress, and smoking among rural–urban migrant workers in China

“…Six categories of worksites were utilized to help ensure diversity among participants. They were construction, machinery and transportation, spin electronics, family services, business, and residual miscellaneous enterprises [6,20]. We then randomly sampled 10% of each of these six worksite categories, which comprised 15, 10, 4, 4, 17, and 25 separate sites, respectively.…”

“…In Stage 4, the final stage of the survey, we selected, as eligible participants from each district cluster of worksite types, all rural–urban migrant workers who were ages 18 years or older, held rural “hukou,” (i.e., were registered permanent residents in a rural area), and had resided in a destination city for at least six months. Participants numbered about 800 in each city [6,20]. They were distributed across each type of worksite, in proportions corresponding approximately to their estimated overall distribution across each district cluster of worksites.…”

Internal migration, mental health, and suicidal behaviors in young rural Chinese

“…Studies in China have revealed mixed, sometimes contradictory findings. Several revealed MWs experienced a variety of health risks that stem from unemployment, bad living conditions, social inequity, discrimination and their mobile status [15–18], and thus, had high prevalence of depression [3], mental health problems [19, 20] and suicidal ideation [21]. Some studies found that MWs had worse mental health based on Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) than the Chinese general population [22, 23] when Chinese SCL-90-R norms were used as reference.…”

Health Consciousness, Smog Consciousness and Chinese Elderly Migrant Workers’ Preferred Retirement Place

“…Rural Hukou residents, for example, receive lower pension payments and public services due to the lagging economic conditions in rural areas. Yang et al [32] also propose that health problems are a major issue for all migrant workers. A majority of migrant workers live in dormitory-style accommodations provided by the work unit, sharing their space with several other workers and using outside amenities for tap water and toilets [33].…”

“…Yang et al [32] point out that migrant workers in urban areas have always lived at the edge of the society, socially and economically. The vast majority of migrant workers face poor conditions in their areas of destination, including work conditions, living environment, social integration and support.…”