Social Stigma and Mental Health among Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China: A Conceptual Framework and Future Research Needs

Abstract

There are over 100 million individuals in China who have migrated from rural villages to urban areas for jobs or better lives without permanent urban residency (i.e., "rural-to-urban migrants"). Our preliminary data from ongoing research among rural-to-urban migrants in China suggest that the migrant population is strongly stigmatized. Moreover, it appears that substantial numbers of these migrants experience mental health symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, hostility, social isolation). While the population potentially affected is substantial (more than 9% of the entire population or about one-quarter of the rural labour force in mainland China) and our data seem to indicate that the issue is pervasive in this population, there is limited literature on the topic in China or elsewhere. Therefore, in the current article, we utilize secondary data from public resources (i.e., scientific literature, governmental publications, public media) and our own qualitative data to explore the issues of stigmatization and mental health, to propose a conceptual model for studying the association between the stigmatization and mental health among this population, and to identify some future needs of research in this area.

Community-based approaches to social exclusion among rural-to-urban migrants in China

“…As stated above, hukou status historically circumscribed the occupational categories for which rural-to-urban migrants were eligible. Although the Chinese government removed these restrictions and strengthened the protection of labor rights for rural-to-urban migrants (Li and Chui 2011), the disadvantaged status of rural-to-urban migrants has resulted in their vulnerability for depressed wages, unfair work terms, and delays or withholding of pay, and thus vulnerability for poverty, especially in an environment of fierce competition for employment opportunities in urban areas (Bei and Chan 1997;Li 2006;Li et al 2006;Wong, Li, and Song 2007;He et al 2010b). Moreover, many rural-to-urban migrants tend to occupy employment categories that are considered inferior by urban residents, such as street food/goods venders, bicycles or shoe repair, and garbage and recycling collection (Li et al 2006, 5).…”

“…Institutional social exclusion also affects the children of rural-to-urban migrants, in that eligibility for compulsory public education, as well as state-subsidized preschools, have traditionally been determined by hukou status and thus was geographically bounded (Kwong 2004;Li 2004;Yan 2005;Li et al 2006;Liang and Chen 2007;Goodburn 2009;Hu and Szente 2010). Although reforms passed by the central government in 2003 required local governments to provide compulsory education to children of migrants at public schools, these have not been achieved due to circumvention by local governments (Li and Chui 2011).…”

“…Although reforms passed by the central government in 2003 required local governments to provide compulsory education to children of migrants at public schools, these have not been achieved due to circumvention by local governments (Li and Chui 2011). For example, local governments often require strict entrance requirements for migrant children, demand documentary evidence regarding statutory compliance from parents and charge unaffordable market or sponsorship education fees, thereby excluding migrant children from access to public education (Li 2004;Yan 2005;Li et al 2006;Hu and Szente 2010;Li and Chui 2011).…”

Finding a job in urban China: A comparative analysis of migrants and natives

“…Although its regulations have become more relaxed, the hukou system is still in effect today and has had a long-lasting impact on job markets in China (Chang, Wen, and Wang, 2011;Chan, 2008). Most rural migrants encounter a variety of occupational restrictions and discrimination in urban areas (Fan, 2002), and typically fill jobs in cities that many urban natives find inferior and undesirable (Roberts, 2001;Li, Stanton, Fang et al, 2006). Urban natives, by contrast, are more likely to hold white-collar jobs (Meng and Zhang, 2001).…”

Discrimination against rural-to-urban migrants: The role of the Hukou system in China

“…From a global perspective, racial minorities, people living with HIV/AIDS, the disabled, the obese, homosexuals, and the physically unattractive are all examples of targets of discrimination [1][2][3][4]. From a local perspective, discrimination against rural-to-urban migrants, due to the unique hukou system, is salient in China [5][6][7]. However, the role of social institutions, such as the hukou system, in discrimination is still subject to scientific debate.…”