The Impact of Social Capital on Migrants’ Social Integration: Evidence from China

Xin Zhang, Xudong Lu (), Chunjie Huang, Wenbo Liu and Guangchen Wang
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Xin Zhang: School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
Xudong Lu: School of Marxism, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Chunjie Huang: School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Wenbo Liu: School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
Guangchen Wang: School of Administration, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: In recent decades, a large influx of migrants from rural areas to cities has brought numerous pressures to urban infrastructure, the environment, public services, and social stability. Therefore, promoting the social integration of migrants is crucial for the sustainable development of cities. Analyzing this situation from the perspective of social capital, as opposed to economic and human capital, can better reveal the underlying mechanisms behind social integration. Therefore, we sought to explore the impact mechanism of social integration among China’s migrants by establishing a comprehensive model that incorporates bonding social capital (BSC), bridging social capital (BRC), relative deprivation (RD), hometown attachment (HA), and social integration (SI) through research based on the 2017 China Migrant Dynamic Survey (CMDS). The results indicate that different types of social capital have varied impacts. Bridging social capital is positively correlated with social integration, with relative deprivation playing a mediating role between the two. In contrast, bonding social capital is negatively correlated with social integration, with hometown attachment moderating the relationship between them. This study enriches social capital theory in the field of migration research and provides recommendations for government efforts to promote social integration

Keywords: bonding social capital; bridging social capital; social integration; relative deprivation; hometown attachment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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