A comparison of female migrant workers' mental health in four cities in China.
BACKGROUND
There are approximately 47.5 million female migrant workers living in major cities in China. Numerous studies have documented the marginalized living conditions confronting migrant workers in cities, such as employment difficulties, unjustifiably demanding working conditions, lack of medical insurance and social provision, poor housing conditions, unfavourable educational arrangements for migrant children, and discrimination by urban residents. In addition, female migrant workers may suffer from discrimination, exploitation and oppression.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to explore the difficulties and perceived meaningfulness of migration and their effect on the mental health status of female migrant workers in Shanghai, Kunshan, Dongguan and Shenzhen.


METHODS
A total of 959 female migrant workers from 12 factories completed the questionnaires, which included the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Migration Stress Scale and the Meaning in Migration Scale.


RESULTS
The findings indicate that 24% of female migrant workers could be classified as having poor mental health and the percentage in Shenzhen (35%) was far greater than in the three other cities in China. 'Financial and employment-related difficulties', 'cultural differences', gender-specific stressors and 'better future for self and children' significantly accounted for the mental health outcomes of female migrant workers.


CONCLUSIONS
Recommendations for policy change and service initiatives targeted at improving the mental health of female migrant workers are discussed.
Department of Social Work, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, China.
Xuesong
X
He
Daniel Fu Keung
DF
Wong
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D045809:Human Rights Abuses / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011580:Psychological Techniques; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data