International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 12, 2019

The potential psychological mechanism of subjective well-being in migrant workers: A structural equation models analysis (Article) (Open Access)

Chen H. , Wang L. , Wei Y. , Ye B. , Dai J. , Gao J. , Wang F. , Fu H.*
  • a Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
  • b Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China, Department of Clinical Nursing, School of Nursing and Health Management, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
  • c Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
  • d Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
  • e Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
  • f Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
  • g Department of Politics, School of Humanities and Social Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
  • h Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the potential psychological mechanism of well-being in migrants in Shanghai, China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. First, a literature review was conducted to understand the salutogenesis of migrants in China. Then, 2573 random participants were recruited from six workplaces and public places in six districts of Shanghai. The Chinese versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI), and the Sense of Coherence (SOC) Scale were used to evaluate the depression, subjective well-being (SWB), and SOC of migrants. The t-test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression and structural equation models (SEM) were used to analyze the correlations and paths among generalized resistant resources (GRRs), SOC, PHQ, and SWB. Results: The subjects were aged between 18 and 58 (mean, 28.17; SD, 6.99). SOC showed a positive correlation with SWB (r = 0.46, p < 0.001) and a negative correlation to PHQ (r = −0.53, p < 0.001). After controlling for the demographic characteristics, we found that PHQ, SOC (comprehensibility, manageability, meaningfulness), and GRRs (income ratio, marital status) contributed 33.3% of the variance in SWB, and their linear regression coefficients were: −0.32 (p < 0.001), 0.09 (p < 0.001), 0.09 (p < 0.001), 0.15 (p < 0.001), 0.06 (p < 0.05), and 0.16 (p < 0.05), respectively. These findings not only confirmed the direct association among SOC, PHQ and SWB, but also verified two underlying mechanisms regarding the mediating effect of SOC by using SEM: (1) GRRs (income ratio, marital status) are positively associated with a higher SOC, which further contributes to favorable SWB; and (2) PHQ is negatively associated with poor SWB indirectly via SOC. Conclusion: Migrant workers with low SOC and high PHQ are vulnerable to poor well-being levels. Meanwhile, GRRs (income ratio, marital status) may strengthen the SOC level, and can be regarded as the basis of intervention. Further investigation may be needed to focus on external psychological support factors. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Migrant workers Generalized resistant resources Well-being Sense of coherence

Index Keywords

China numerical model human wellbeing sense of coherence Sense of Coherence Scale controlled study Shanghai marriage quality of life migrant worker cross-sectional study psychology workplace male female multiple linear regression analysis Patient Health Questionnaire 9 Article major clinical study adult structural equation modeling Analysis of Variance
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85068862711&doi=10.3390%2fijerph16122229&partnerID=40&md5=5b70d891f5772ff93b2b991d60aad613
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16122229
ISSN: 16617827
Original Language: English