Well-being and health-related quality of life in new-generation migrant workers in Zhejiang province, China

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) has generally been used for patients, few studies in migrants who move from rural to urban within one country. Many studies asserted that social isolation presents a risk to individual health. Poor social networks are associated with worse QOL. This study examined health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and social support in new-generation migrant workers and compared it with urban workers. Methods: Nine hundred thirty new-generation migrant workers and 939 urban controls completed the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) by stratified sampling in 2011. Spearman’s correlation was performed to clarify the relationship between social support and HRQOL in migrants. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify the variables that were associated with HRQOL. Results: The general health, psychological health, and environmental scores of QOL in new-generation migrant workers were lower than in urban workers. New-generation migrants had poorer social support compared with urban controls with regard to general support, objective support, and support utilization. A positive correlation was found between social support and HRQOL. Workers with a higher level of education achieved better psychological, environmental, and general scores than workers with a primary education. Physical, social, environmental, and general health was also closely connected with the age factor. Physical health scores were higher in males than in females. Conclusion: These data suggest that new-generation migrant workers have significant impairment in HRQOL and receive less social support. HRQOL may be affected by social support, education, age, and gender.

Associations of Acculturative Stress, Depression, and Quality of Life among Indonesian Migrant Workers in South Korea

“…The mean score for quality of life among the study participants was 89.85 (SD=11.21). This is higher than the score reported from a previous study on new-generation migrant workers in Eastern China (mean score=62.8) [23]. Thus, Indonesian migrant workers in South Korea are considered to have a higher level of quality of life compared to migrant workers in Eastern China.…”

“…In the present study, social support was a significant factor associated with quality of life. Xing et al [23] assessed the level of social support using WHOQOL-BREF and the Social Support Rating Scale and found that social support affected quality of life among migrant workers in Eastern China. The researchers assumed that social support of people from an individual's country of origin could be limited in urban areas because of unfriendliness and neighbourhood characteristics.…”

Mental health of the old- and new-generation migrant workers in China: who are at greater risk for psychological distress?

“…Previous studies have shown that the new-generation MWs have inadequate social support and weak social network, which significantly contribute to their poorer mental health compared to the old-generation MWs [ 19 , 29 ]. Similarly, our study found migrating alone was significantly correlated with psychological distress of the new-generation MWs.…”

Migrant Workers and Physical Health: an Umbrella Review

“…Foreign workers may experience difficulty adapting to their new position; they might experience more work-related stress such as inadequate rest due to overtime work and inadequate medical and social security coverage provided by the employers [91]. Social relationships and networks that exist in the countryside are difficult to achieve in urban areas because of the distances and surroundings, leading to ever-decreasing social support [92,93]. To reduce work-related stress and foster interpersonal relationships in migrants, the psychology of sustainable development promotes greater connection with nature and empathy.…”