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Nothing Like Living with a Family: A Qualitative Study of Subjective Well-Being and its Determinants among Migrant and Local Elderly in Dongguan, China

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  • Yuxi Liu

    (School of Humanities and Management, Guangdong Medical University, Songshan Lake District, Dongguan 523808, China
    Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Rassamee Sangthong

    (Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Thammasin Ingviya

    (Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Chonghua Wan

    (School of Humanities and Management, Guangdong Medical University, Songshan Lake District, Dongguan 523808, China
    Research Center for Quality of Life and Applied Psychology, Guangdong Medical University, Songshan Lake District, Dongguan 523808, China)

Abstract

Chinese economic development has led to a significant rise in internal migration over the last 20 years, including large numbers of elderly. When elderly Chinese people migrate, they still register their residency to their place of origin and often do not register with the new administrative office at the destination due to the household registration (hukou) system in China. Thus, most of these migrant elderly do not receive full social services, possibly leading to poor subjective well-being. This study aims to qualitatively examine the level of subjective well-being and its determinants among migrants and local elderly in Dongguan City of Guangdong province, one of the most rapid economically developing areas in China. We also present the results of in-depth interviews among 27 elderly, 15 elderly migrants and 12 local elderly living in Dongguan. The results reveal that the overall subjective well-being of the two groups were good. Most migrants believed their well-being had remained stable or even improved over time due to family reunion and a better physical environment. Elderly’s most valuable needs and the main reason of migration is family reunion; however, inadequacy of social support, including community support and government support (e.g., gift during holiday season, free health examination, healthcare expenditure reimbursement), cannot be neglected for maintaining a good level of well-being. The well-being of migrant elderly can be further enhanced by promoting social services and welfare, recreational activities, and enhancing healthcare reimbursement in their new home.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuxi Liu & Rassamee Sangthong & Thammasin Ingviya & Chonghua Wan, 2019. "Nothing Like Living with a Family: A Qualitative Study of Subjective Well-Being and its Determinants among Migrant and Local Elderly in Dongguan, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:23:p:4874-:d:293760
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Junyu Lu & Meilin Dai & Fuhan Li & Ludan Qin & Bin Cheng & Zhuoyan Li & Zikun Yao & Rong Wu, 2023. "The Impact of Urban Built Environments on Elderly People’s Sense of Safety and Adaptation to Aging: A Case Study of Three Major Urban Agglomerations in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Xiaodong Zheng & Yue Zhang & Yu Chen & Xiangming Fang, 2021. "Internal Migration Experience and Depressive Symptoms among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Yiwen Zhang & Haizhi Luo & Jiami Xie & Xiangzhao Meng & Changdong Ye, 2023. "The Influence and Prediction of Built Environment on the Subjective Well-Being of the Elderly Based on Random Forest: Evidence from Guangzhou, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-16, October.

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