Perceived Discrimination and Subjective Well-being among Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China

Authors

Juan Chen, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Keywords

China, migration, perceived discrimination, subjective well-being

Abstract

Using data from a 2009 national household survey (N = 2,866), this study investigates the differential experience of perceived institutional and interpersonal discrimination among rural-to-urban migrants in China, and the consequences of these two types of discrimination on measures of subjective well-being. The results indicate that rural-to-urban migrants perceive institutional discrimination more frequently than interpersonal discrimination. However, perceived interpersonal discrimination has a more detrimental effect than perceived institutional discrimination for rural-to-urban migrants, and this effect takes the form of self-rated physical health and depressive distress. The research calls for a more equitable social environment and equal distribution of resources and opportunities in China.

Recommended Citation

Chen, Juan (2013) "Perceived Discrimination and Subjective Well-being among Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 40: Iss. 1, Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3718
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol40/iss1/8