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How Migration in Later Life Shapes Their Quality of Life: A Qualitative Investigation of the Well-Being of the “Drifting Elderly” in China

Author

Listed:
  • Xiao He

    (Shanghai University)

  • Furong Zhang

    (Shanghai University)

  • Hongdan Zhao

    (Shanghai University)

  • Jie Li

    (Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University)

Abstract

China has experienced an increasing number of “drifting elderly” (elderly inter-province migrants because of non-employment reasons) due to urbanization and aging. Living in different environments, the elderly are susceptible to mental health problems. Thus we explore the well-being of the drifting elderly under the Chinese cultural context. According to the grounded theory approach, a qualitative study with 54 elderly inter-provincial migrant samples was conducted in Shanghai. Drawing from the “cognition, affection, and conation” theory and the migration theory, we built a framework for the drifting elderly’s well-being, including the impact factors (motivation, adaption pressure, and personality), well-being status (subjective well-being, psychological well-being, and social well-being), and consequences (future plan). Implications and future research directions are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao He & Furong Zhang & Hongdan Zhao & Jie Li, 2022. "How Migration in Later Life Shapes Their Quality of Life: A Qualitative Investigation of the Well-Being of the “Drifting Elderly” in China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 160(2), pages 909-933, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:160:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-020-02497-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-020-02497-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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