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Depressive Symptoms and Migrant Worker Wages: Estimation Based on a Nationally-Representative Panel Dataset

Author

Listed:
  • Li Huang

    (College of Economics and Management, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, Liaoning, China)

  • Xue Zhang

    (College of Economics and Management, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, Liaoning, China)

  • Mi Zhou

    (College of Economics and Management, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, Liaoning, China)

  • Brendan Nuse

    (College of Liberal Arts, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, Shanxi, China)

  • Liuyin Tong

    (College of Economics and Management, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, Liaoning, China)

Abstract

In recent years, migrant workers, defined as people who move from Chinese rural areas to cities in other parts of the country to find work, have experienced slowed wage growth. An important question that has emerged is whether depressive symptoms have a significant relationship with migrant worker wages. This paper uses a nationally representative panel dataset to examine the overall association of depressive symptoms and migrant worker wages in China and explores the indirect mechanisms through which these impacts occur. Using the Coarsened Exact Matching method, our results show that depressive symptoms have a significant direct negative relationship with migrant worker wages, and that this relationship is consistent. Furthermore, we also find that depressive symptoms can reduce migrant worker wages indirectly by increasing the frequency of job conversion or by shortening work duration.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Huang & Xue Zhang & Mi Zhou & Brendan Nuse & Liuyin Tong, 2019. "Depressive Symptoms and Migrant Worker Wages: Estimation Based on a Nationally-Representative Panel Dataset," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:6:p:1009-:d:215552
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    References listed on IDEAS

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