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Family migration and youth psychosocial development: An ecological perspective

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  • Lu, Shuang

Abstract

Urbanization has prompted worldwide family migration. This study examines the psychosocial impact of rural-to-urban migration on youth in China, a fast-urbanizing country with 268 million rural migrant workers and 103 million migrant youth. Using data from 2012 China Family Panel Studies (n = 2084, age 10–15), this study examines psychosocial disparities (depressive symptoms, social relationships, and future aspirations) among youth migrated with parents, youth left behind by migrant parents, and their peers. The results show that rural-to-urban migration appears to benefit youth psychosocially, but the benefits are clearly limited. Migration is associated with fewer depressive symptoms, but it does not improve youth social relationships or future aspirations. Being female, parent-child conflicts, and living in West China also impose psychosocial risks. While China’s urbanization has created socioeconomic inequalities that curtail youth psychosocial development, this study calls for more sustainable urbanization approaches to address the status quo’s failings.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu, Shuang, 2020. "Family migration and youth psychosocial development: An ecological perspective," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:113:y:2020:i:c:s019074092030133x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104953
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peilin Li & Wei Li, 2007. "Economic Status and Social Attitudes of Migrant Workers in China," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Ming-Hsuan Lee*, 2011. "Migration and children's welfare in China:the schooling and health of children left behind," Journal of Developing Areas, Tennessee State University, College of Business, vol. 44(2), pages 165-182, January-M.
    3. Hu, Hongwei & Lu, Shuang & Huang, Chien-Chung, 2014. "The psychological and behavioral outcomes of migrant and left-behind children in China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 1-10.
    4. Qingwen Xu & Xinping Guan & Fangfang Yao, 2011. "Welfare program participation among rural‐to‐urban migrant workers in China," International Journal of Social Welfare, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(1), pages 10-21, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Liu, Ran & Hannum, Emily, 2023. "Parental absence and student academic performance in cross-national perspective: Heterogeneous forms of family separation and the buffering possibilities of grandparents," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    2. Lixia Yan & Siyuan Wang & Yang Yuan & Yu Zhang & Junhua Zhang, 2022. "Depressive Symptoms of Chinese Rural-to-Urban Migrant Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, October.
    3. Weilong Chen & Yi Huang & Abanoub Riad, 2021. "Gender Differences in Depressive Traits among Rural and Urban Chinese Adolescent Students: Secondary Data Analysis of Nationwide Survey CFPS," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-11, August.
    4. Ni, Shiguang & Lu, Shuang & Lu, Ke & Tan, Haoyue, 2021. "The effects of parental involvement in parent–child reading for migrant and urban families: A comparative mixed-methods study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).

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