Investigation on Life Satisfaction of Rural-to-Urban Migrant Workers in China: A Moderated Mediation Model

Qian Liu and Haimin Pan
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Qian Liu: School of Public Administration, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
Haimin Pan: School of Sociology and Anthropology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: Given the large number of internal migrant workers in China and their contribution to the development of the society and country, their life satisfaction somewhat signifies the success of their integration into the new environment. This study is to explore the influence of subjective relative deprivation on life satisfaction among rural-to-urban migrant workers in China. Additionally, linking social capital was used as a mediator and friendship network size as a moderator. This study was designed as cross-sectional and 2442 rural-urban migrants in both Xiamen ( N = 1197) and Changsha ( N = 1245) were recruited by using a multi-stage stratified probability proportional to size sampling method. The results showed a significantly negative mediating effect of linking social capital with a negative association between subjective relative deprivation and life satisfaction. Moreover, the number of friends moderated the effect of linking social capital on life satisfaction. This study confirmed a moderated mediation model and highlighted the importance of linking social capital and subjective relative deprivation in deciding life satisfaction of Chinese rural-to-urban migrant workers. Polities and purposeful action for enhancing social integration (i.e., interaction with community members and taking part in social and political activities) are advised to build a well-off society in China.

Keywords: subjective relative deprivation; linking social capital; life satisfaction; friendship network size; rural-to-urban migrant workers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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