International Journal of Mental Health Systems
Volume 8, Issue 1, 2014

The impact of perception of discrimination and sense of belonging on the loneliness of the children of Chinese migrant workers: A structural equation modeling analysis (Article) (Open Access)

Liu D. , Yu X.* , Wang Y. , Zhang H. , Ren G.
  • a Institute of Teacher Education, Shanxi Normal University, Linfen, China
  • b School of Education, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, China
  • c School of Education, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, China
  • d School of Education, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, China
  • e School of Education, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, China

Abstract

Background: The children of migrant workers can experience several mental health problems after they enter the cities, among which, loneliness is the most prominent and the most common psychological problem. The current study aimed to examine the impact of discrimination perception on loneliness of migrant children, mainly focused on confirmation of the mediator role of sense of belonging. Method: 357 children of Chinese migrant workers were as participants involving in this research. Data were collected by using the Perception of Discrimination Scale, Sense of Belonging Instrument, and the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale. Results: The results revealed that both perception of discrimination and sense of belonging were significantly correlated with loneliness of the children of migrant workers. Structural equation modeling indicated that sense of belonging partially mediated perception of discrimination to job loneliness. Conclusions: Sense of belonging played a significant role in the relation between perception of discrimination and loneliness of the children of migrant workers. © 2014 Liu et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

loneliness Perception of discrimination Sense of belonging children of migrant workers

Index Keywords

social behavior Chinese human priority journal migrant worker Adolescent male female Article structural equation modeling Loneliness social discrimination Perception of Discrimination Scale emotion assessment perception of discrimination Sense of Belonging Instrument behavior assessment Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale sense of belonging Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84928576329&doi=10.1186%2f1752-4458-8-52&partnerID=40&md5=b6aec92a611ae4c0926b0ce604bbefea
DOI: 10.1186/1752-4458-8-52
ISSN: 17524458
Cited by: 10
Original Language: English