This study aims to examine the quality of life of Chinese migrant children and to explore whether social capital mediates the relationship between a child’s migration status and quality of life. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a district of Shanghai, China. Based on a sample consists of 1,577 Chinese children in fourth to sixth grade, we used multivariable linear regression to examine the associations and mechanisms among migration, social capital and quality of life. Migrant children reported lower scores for quality of life than their urban counterparts. However, we identified higher levels of neighbourhood social cohesion, trust in their school and neighbourhood, and higher level of maternal autonomy support can mediate the damaging effects of migration status on quality of life. The results indicate that hukou restrictions put migrant children at a disadvantageous position and negatively affect their quality of life. While their migration status is unlikely to change soon, we found that higher levels of certain social capital can alleviate the negative effects of migration status on children’s quality of life, and thus can be utilised for welfare programme design. © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved.

China Migrant Children Ecological systems theory Quality of life Social capital

controlled study female China major clinical study social capital welfare ecosystem linear regression analysis neighborhood Article quality of life human cross-sectional study migrant Trust Child