IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v16y2019i6p1025-d215792.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Effects of Neighborhood Discrimination Towards Mainland Immigrants on Mental Health in Hong Kong

Author

Listed:
  • Juan Chen

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, GH305, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China)

  • Zhonglu Li

    (College of Psychology and Sociology, Shenzhen University, Room 517, Technology Building, 3688 Nanhai Ave., Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Duoduo Xu

    (Division of Social Science, Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Room 3302, Academic Building, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China)

  • Xiaogang Wu

    (Division of Social Science, Center for Applied Social and Economic Research (CASER), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Room 3374, Academic Building, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China)

Abstract

Using data from a representative sample of Chinese adults who were surveyed in the Hong Kong Panel Study of Social Dynamics (HKPSSD), we estimate the effects of neighborhood discrimination towards immigrants from Mainland China on the mental health of Chinese residents in Hong Kong. Contrary to our expectations, discrimination towards immigrants from Mainland China measured at the neighborhood level is not associated with the poor mental health of post-1997 immigrants; instead, a higher level of immigrant discrimination is associated with a lower level of psychological distress for both post-1997 Mainland immigrants and other Chinese residents in Hong Kong. A functional family also appears to be a consistent predictor of better mental health for both groups. Our findings, therefore, suggest that immigrant discrimination can signify a prejudice that leads to social distance or avoidance and that the post-1997 Mainland immigrants do not have extensive contact with other local residents in Hong Kong. Although local residents’ discriminatory attitudes may not result in aggressive behaviors that have a negative impact on newcomers’ mental health, the social distance between the immigrants and the local residents is still an issue that requires further research and practical attention.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Chen & Zhonglu Li & Duoduo Xu & Xiaogang Wu, 2019. "Effects of Neighborhood Discrimination Towards Mainland Immigrants on Mental Health in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-15, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:6:p:1025-:d:215792
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/6/1025/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/6/1025/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Qiaobing Wu & Julian Chun-Chung Chow, 2013. "Social Service Utilization, Sense of Community, Family Functioning and the Mental Health of New Immigrant Women in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Muzhi Zhou & Xiaogang Wu & Guangye He, 2017. "Marriage in an immigrant society: Education and the transition to first marriage in Hong Kong," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 37(18), pages 567-598.
    3. Jikun Wang & Xudong Zhao, 2013. "Perceived family functioning in depressed Chinese couples: A cross‐sectional study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(1), pages 9-14, March.
    4. Gee, G.C., 2002. "A multilevel analysis of the relationship between institutional and individual racial discrimination and health status," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(4), pages 615-623.
    5. Krieger, N., 2012. "Methods for the scientific study of discrimination and health: An ecosocial approach," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(5), pages 936-945.
    6. Su Liu & Catherine X. J. Hu & Selene Mak, 2013. "Comparison of Health Status and Health Care Services Utilization between Migrants and Natives of the Same Ethnic Origin—The Case of Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-17, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Colen, Cynthia G. & Ramey, David M. & Cooksey, Elizabeth C. & Williams, David R., 2018. "Racial disparities in health among nonpoor African Americans and Hispanics: The role of acute and chronic discrimination," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 167-180.
    2. Liat Ayalon, 2018. "Perceived Age Discrimination: A Precipitator or a Consequence of Depressive Symptoms?," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(5), pages 860-869.
    3. Yufei Mandy Wu & Jens Kreitewolf & Rachel Kronick, 2023. "The Relationship between Wellbeing, Self-Determination, and Resettlement Stress for Asylum-Seeking Mothers Attending an Ecosocial Community-Based Intervention: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(22), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Johnston, David W. & Lordan, Grace, 2012. "Discrimination makes me sick! An examination of the discrimination–health relationship," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 99-111.
    5. McNeill, Lorna Haughton & Kreuter, Matthew W. & Subramanian, S.V., 2006. "Social Environment and Physical activity: A review of concepts and evidence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(4), pages 1011-1022, August.
    6. Dušan Drbohlav & Dagmar Dzúrová, 2017. "Social Hazards as Manifested Workplace Discrimination and Health (Vietnamese and Ukrainian Female and Male Migrants in Czechia)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-16, October.
    7. Cheney, Ann M. & Newkirk, Christine & Rodriguez, Katheryn & Montez, Anselmo, 2018. "Inequality and health among foreign-born latinos in rural borderland communities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 115-122.
    8. Mieko Yoshihama & Jun Sung Hong & Yueqi Yan, 2022. "Everyday Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms among Gujarati Adults: Gender Difference in the Role of Social Support," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    9. Farah N. Mawani & Patricia O’Campo & Peter Smith, 2022. "Opportunity Costs: Underemployment and Mental Health Inequities Between Immigrant and Canadian-Born Labour Force Participants: A Cross-Sectional Study," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 1443-1470, September.
    10. Vasiliki Bozani & Nick Drydakis & Katerina Sidiropoulou & Benjamin Harvey & Anna Paraskevopoulou, 2019. "Workplace positive actions, trans people’s self-esteem and human resources’ evaluations," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 41(6), pages 809-831, November.
    11. Julie S. Armin & Heather J. Williamson & Andria Begay & Jennifer Etcitty & Agnes Attakai & Kim Russell & Julie A. Baldwin, 2022. "Adapting a Cancer Screening Education Program for Native American Women with Disabilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-15, July.
    12. Locke, Dexter & Hall, Billy & Grove, J Morgan & Pickett, Steward T.A. & Ogden, Laura A. & Aoki, Carissa & Boone, Christopher G. & O’Neil-Dunne, Jarlath PM, 2020. "Residential housing segregation and urban tree canopy in 37 US Cities," SocArXiv 97zcs, Center for Open Science.
    13. Lee, Min-Ah & Ferraro, Kenneth F., 2009. "Perceived discrimination and health among Puerto Rican and Mexican Americans: Buffering effect of the Lazo matrimonial?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(11), pages 1966-1974, June.
    14. Webel, Allison R. & Cuca, Yvette & Okonsky, Jennifer G. & Asher, Alice K. & Kaihura, Alphoncina & Salata, Robert A., 2013. "The impact of social context on self-management in women living with HIV," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 147-154.
    15. Louvel, Séverine & Soulier, Alexandra, 2022. "Biological embedding vs. embodiment of social experiences: How these two concepts form distinct thought styles around the social production of health inequalities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    16. Josephine Agu & Roanna Lobo & Gemma Crawford & Bethwyn Chigwada, 2016. "Migrant Sexual Health Help-Seeking and Experiences of Stigmatization and Discrimination in Perth, Western Australia: Exploring Barriers and Enablers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-22, May.
    17. Gee, Gilbert C. & Spencer, Michael & Chen, Juan & Yip, Tiffany & Takeuchi, David T., 2007. "The association between self-reported racial discrimination and 12-month DSM-IV mental disorders among Asian Americans nationwide," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(10), pages 1984-1996, May.
    18. Harnois, Catherine E. & Bastos, João L. & Campbell, Mary E. & Keith, Verna M., 2019. "Measuring perceived mistreatment across diverse social groups: An evaluation of the Everyday Discrimination Scale," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 298-306.
    19. Neblett, Enrique W., 2023. "Racism measurement and influences, variations on scientific racism, and a vision," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    20. Kolpashnikova, Kamila & Kan, Man-Yee & Shirakawa, Kiyomi, 2019. "Marriage and Housework: Analyzing the Effects of Education Using the 2011 and 2016 Japanese Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities," MPRA Paper 94670, University Library of Munich, Germany.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:6:p:1025-:d:215792. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.