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.

Dongyang Liu,Xiaobo Yu,Haiqin Zhang,Yuncai Wang,Guofang Ren

doi:10.1186/1752-4458-8-52

Abstract

BackgroundThe 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.Method357 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsSense of belonging played a significant role in the relation between perception of discrimination and loneliness of the children of migrant workers.

Highlights

More surplus rural laborers pour into the cities with the rapid development in Chinese society and economy, which form the greatest population migration in the world [1]
The results revealed that both perception of discrimination and sense of belonging were significantly correlated with loneliness of the children of migrant workers
The results showed that perception of discrimination was negatively correlated with sense of belonging (r = −0.51, p < 0.01), and positively correlated with loneliness (r = 0.47, p < 0.01)

Summary

Introduction

More surplus rural laborers pour into the cities with the rapid development in Chinese society and economy, which form the greatest population migration in the world [1]. Large amount of second generation immigrants have appeared in the cities with the migration of rural laborers with their families [2] These school-age children who follow their parents cannot enjoy the equal rights of education as local kids because of dual economic and social system based on census register and urban and rural division [3]. These children become a special vulnerable group in society [4]. 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

Methods

Results

Conclusion