Subjective Well-Being and Influencing Factors of Ex Situ Poverty Alleviation Migrants: The Case of Guizhou, China
Publication: Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 149, Issue 3
Abstract
With the large-scale implementation of China’s ex situ poverty alleviation relocation (ESPAR) policy, China’s poverty-alleviation migrants (PAMs) have increased significantly in a short period of time. The majority of the literature has indicated that the changes associated with resettlement in, for example, livelihood, living environment, and living standards have improved the lives of the PAMs. However, a few researchers have studied PAMs’ subjective well-being (SWB) after relocation. Taking the PAMs in Anshun City, Guizhou Province of China as an example, this work used interviews and questionnaire surveys to investigate the well-being of PAMs under three resettlement models––resettlement in nearby villages and townships, resettlement in county seats, and resettlement in cities. Through a multiple linear regression model, we analyzed the SWB level and influencing factors of PAMs, and the differences in SWB under different resettlement models. The results show that: (1) the overall SWB level of PAMs is relatively high; (2) living conditions and public services, livelihoods and housing, lifestyle, and social networks all have significant impacts on the SWB of PAMs; and (3) the SWB levels of the migrants resettled in county seats is the highest, followed by resettlement in cities, and resettlement in nearby villages and townships. We also put forward relevant guiding suggestions, hoping to provide references for the sustainable development of future ESPAR projects. Moreover, we hope that this work has guiding significance for improving the mental health of PAMs and constructing healthy living cities for PAMs.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
We thank the relevant staff in the project area for their understanding and support of our work, and the interviewees for their active cooperation. This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2020YFD1100705).
References
Anshun Government. 2020. Anshun Municipal Government Work Report. Accessed March 25, 2020. http://www.anshun.gov.cn/zwgk/xxgkml/zfgzbg/202001/t20200114_43000149.html.
Ayala-Azcárraga, C., D. Diaz, and L. Zambrano. 2019. “Characteristics of urban parks and their relation to user well-being.” Landscape Urban Plann. 189: 27–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.04.005.
Black, R., W. N. Adger, N. W. Arnell, S. Dercon, A. Geddes, and D. Thomas. 2011. “The effect of environmental change on human migration.” Supplement, Glob. Environ. Change 21 (S1): S3–S11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2011.10.001.
Cheng, Z., H. Wang, and R. Smyth. 2013. “Happiness and job satisfaction in urban China: A comparative study of two generations of migrants and urban locals.” Urban Stud. 51 (10): 2160–2184. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098013506042.
China Standard Map. 2019. “Review Drawing No. GS.” No. 1659. Accessed May 4, 2023. http://bzdt.ch.mnr.gov.cn/browse.html?picId=%224o28b0625501ad13015501ad2bfc0274%22.
Christiaensen, L., J. Weerdt, and Y. Todo. 2013. “Urbanization and poverty reduction – The role of rural diversification and secondary towns.” Policy Res. Working Paper Ser. 44 (4–5): 435–447.
Dan, Z., and P. Melita. 2012. “In search of a better life: The experiences of working poor immigrants in Vancouver, Canada.” Int. Migr. 50: e60–e93. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2435.2010.00659.x.
Dang, Y., L. Chen, W. Zhang, D. Zheng, and D. Zhan. 2020. “How does growing city size affect residents’ happiness in urban China? A case study of the Bohai rim area.” Habitat Int. 97: 102120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2020.102120.
Deng, Q., E. Li, and P. Zhang. 2020. “Livelihood sustainability and dynamic mechanisms of rural households out of poverty: An empirical analysis of Hua County, Henan Province, China.” Habitat Int. 99: 102160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2020.102160.
Diener, E. 1984. “Subjective well-being.” Psychol. Bull. 95 (3): 542–575. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.95.3.542.
Diener, E., J. J. Sapyta, and S. E. Suh. 1998. “Subjective well-being is essential to well-being.” Psychol. Inquiry 9 (1): 33–37. https://doi.org/10.2307/1449607.
Diener, E., E. M. Suh, R. E. Lucas, and H. L. Smith. 1999. “Subjective well-being: Three decades of progress.” Psychol. Bull. 125 (2): 276–302. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.125.2.276.
Dolan, P., T. Peasgood, and M. White. 2007. “Do we really know what makes us happy? A review of the economic literature on the factors associated with subjective well-being.” J. Econ. Psychol. 29 (1): 94–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2007.09.001.
Emran, M. S., and F. Shilpi. 2017. Beyond dualism: Agricultural productivity, small towns and structural change in Bangladesh. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 8087. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.
Erlinghagen, M., C. Kern, and P. Stein. 2020. “Migration, social stratification and dynamic effects on subjective well being.” Adv. Life Course Res. 48: 100393.
Fu, H., G. Zhou, H. Sun, and Y. Liu. 2022. “Life satisfaction and migration intention of residents in shrinking cities: Case of Yichun City in China.” J. Urban Plann. Dev. 148 (1): 05021062. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000791.
Gilbert, A., K. Colley, and D. Roberts. 2016. “Are rural residents happier? A quantitative analysis of subjective wellbeing in Scotland.” J. Rural Stud. 44: 37–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2016.01.002.
Guizhou Government. 2019. “Magnificent migration, Guizhou completed the poverty alleviation relocation of 1.88 million people.” Accessed March 28, 2020. http://www.guizhou.gov.cn/zwgk/zdlygk/shgysyjs/fptp_31684/201912/t20191224_36231665.html.
Guo, H., and J. Li. 2019. “Impact of urban resettlement on the livelihood activities of rural resettled households in Southern Shaanxi Province with method of coarsened exact matching (CEM).” China Popul. Resour. Environ. 29 (7): 149–156. https://doi.org/10.12062/cpre.20190303.
Guo, S., G. Liu, Q. Zhang, F. Zhao, and G. Ding. 2020. “Improvement in the poverty status of ecological migrants under the urban resettlement model: An empirical study in China.” Sustainability 12 (5): 2084. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12052084.
Huang, Q., D. Yin, C. He, J. Yan, Z. Liu, and S. Meng. 2020. “Linking ecosystem services and subjective well-being in rapidly urbanizing watersheds: Insights from a multilevel linear model.” Ecosyst. Serv. 43: 101106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2020.101106.
Ingelaere, B., L. Christiaensen, J. D. Weerdt, and R. Kanbur. 2018. “Why secondary towns can be important for poverty reduction – A migrant’s perspective.” World Dev. 105: 273–282.
Jin, L., M. Wen, J. X. Fan, and G. Wang. 2012. “Trans-local ties, local ties and psychological well-being among rural-to-urban migrants in Shanghai.” Social Sci. Med. 75 (2): 288–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.03.014.
Juul, B. P., B. Malika, M. Philippe, P. Clément, B. F. Jihane, and B. Karl. 2018. “A life in waiting: Refugees’ mental health and narratives of social suffering after European union border closures in March 2016.” Social Sci. Med. 215: 53–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.08.040.
Li, B. 2010. “Floating population or urban citizens? Status, social provision and circumstances of rural–urban migrants in China.” Social Policy Adm. 40 (2): 174–195. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9515.2006.00483.x.
Li, J., and Z. Lin. 2018. “Housing stress and mental health of migrant populations in urban China.” Cities 81 (Nov.): 172–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2018.04.006.
Li, J., and N. Rose. 2017. “Urban social exclusion and mental health of China’s rural-urban migrants – A review and call for research.” Health Place 48: 20–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2017.08.009.
Li, T. E., and E. Chan. 2017. “Diaspora tourism and well-being: A eudaimonic view.” Ann. Tourism Res. 63 (Mar.): 205–206.
Li, T. E., and E. Chan. 2020. “Diaspora tourism and well-being over life-courses.” Ann. Tourism Res. 82: 102917.
Liu, Y., Z. Li, and W. Breitung. 2012. “The social networks of new-generation migrants in China’s urbanized villages: A case study of Guangzhou.” Habitat Int. 36 (1): 192–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2011.08.008.
Liu, Y., Z. Li, Y. Liu, and H. Chen. 2015. “Growth of rural migrant enclaves in Guangzhou, China: Agency, everyday practice and social mobility.” Urban Stud. 52 (16): 3086–3105. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098014553752.
Liu, Y., F. Zhang, Y. Liu, Z. Li, and F. Wu. 2017a. “The effect of neighbourhood social ties on migrants’ subjective wellbeing in Chinese cities.” Habitat Int. 66: 86–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2017.05.011.
Liu, Y., F. Zhang, F. Wu, Y. Liu, and Z. Li. 2017b. “The subjective wellbeing of migrants in Guangzhou, China: The impacts of the social and physical environment.” Cities 60 (A): 333–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2016.10.008.
McAuliffe, M., and A. Triandafyllidou, eds. 2021. World Migration Report 2022. Geneva: International Organization for Migration (IOM).
National Bureau of Statistics. 2023. “2022 Monitoring and Investigation Report on Migrant Workers.” Accessed March 25, 2020. http://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/zxfb/202304/t20230427_1939124.html?eqid=bfec720b00225cc400000006644e198c.
NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission). 2016. “National 13th Five-Year Plan for poverty alleviation and relocation.” Accessed March 24, 2020. http://www.cpad.gov.cn/art/2017/4/28/art_50_62482.html.
NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission). 2020. “The project of poverty alleviation relocation has achieved 9.47 million residents.” Accessed April 25, 2020. https://www.ndrc.gov.cn/fggz/dqzx/tpgjypkfq/202004/t20200423_1226472.html.
Nikolova, M., and C. Graham. 2015. “In transit: The well-being of migrants from transition and post-transition countries.” J. Econ. Behav. Organ. 112 (Apr.): 164–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2015.02.003.
Olmo, M. M., A. M. Novoa, L. Camprubí, A. Peralta, H. Vásquez-Vera, J. Bosch, J. Amat, F. Díaz, L. Palència, and R. Mehdipanah. 2016. “Housing policies and health inequalities.” Int. J. Health Serv. 47 (2): 207–232. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020731416684292.
Palermo, F., B. S. Sergi, and E. Sironi. 2022. “Does urbanization matter? Diverging attitudes toward migrants and Europe’s decision-making.” Socio-Econ. Plann. Sci. 83: 101278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2022.101278.
Pfeiffer, D., M. M. Ehlenz, R. Andrade, S. Cloutier, and K. L. Larson. 2020. “Do neighborhood walkability, transit, and parks relate to residents’ life satisfaction?: Insights from Phoenix.” J. Am. Plann. Assoc. 2: 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2020.1715824.
Pierse, N., K. Carter, S. Bierre, D. Law, and P. Howden-Chapman. 2016. “Examining the role of tenure, household crowding and housing affordability on psychological distress, using longitudinal data.” J. Epidemiol. Community Health 70 (10): 961. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2015-206716.
Schwanen, T., and D. Wang. 2014. “Well-being, context, and everyday activities in space and time.” Ann. Assoc. Am. Geogr. 104 (4): 833–851. https://doi.org/10.1080/00045608.2014.912549.
Shlomit, L., and S. Clara. 2008. “The wellbeing of the self’s personality: A structural analysis.” Social Indic. Res. 89 (3): 473–485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-008-9244-5.
Sun, J., L. Ling, and Z. J. Huang. 2020. “Tourism migrant workers: The internal integration from urban to rural destinations.” Ann. Tourism Res. 84: 102972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.102972.
The Global Goals. 2015. “The Global Goals for Sustainable Development.” The 17 Goals. Accessed April 10, 2020. https://www.globalgoals.org/.
The State Council. 2006. “Steadily advance the pilot project of poverty alleviation relocation.” Accessed March 24, 2020. http://www.gov.cn/ztzl/fupin/content_396669.htm.
The State Council. 2020. “The 13th Five-Year Plan for poverty alleviation relocation is basically completed.” Accessed March 25, 2020. http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2020-03/07/content_5488241.htm.
Topp, C. W., S. D. Stergaard, S. Sndergaard, and P. Bech. 2015. “The WHO-5 well-being index: A systematic review of the literature.” Psychother. Psychosom. 84 (3): 167–176. https://doi.org/10.1159/000376585.
Wang, Y., J. Yuan, F. Zeng, and N. Chen. 2008. “Discussion on the resettlement mode of the poverty peasants in the ecologically fragile areas in Guizhou Province.” Ecol. Econ. 1: 400–401. https://doi.org/CNKI:SUN:STJX.0.2008-01-107.
Wei, L., and F. Gao. 2016. “Social media, social integration and subjective well-being among new urban migrants in China.” Telematics Inf. 34 (3): 786–796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2016.05.017.
Wu, J., Z. Yu, Y. D. Wei, and L. Yang. 2019. “Changing distribution of migrant population and its influencing factors in urban China: Economic transition, public policy, and amenities.” Habitat Int. 94: 102063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2019.102063.
Wu, Y., Y. Zhou, and Y. Liu. 2020. “Exploring the outflow of population from poor areas and its main influencing factors.” Habitat Int. 99: 102161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2020.102161.
Xin, L. 2019. “On social adaptation of poverty alleviation migrants in Guizhou minority areas.” Guizhou Ethnic Stud. 40 (3): 55–59. https://doi.org/10.13965/j.cnki.gzmzyj10026959.2019.03.012.
Yang, G., C. Zhou, and W. Jin. 2019. “Integration of migrant workers: Differentiation among three rural migrant enclaves in Shenzhen.” Cities 96 (2): 102453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2019.102453.
Yang, Y., A. D. Sherbinin, and Y. Liu. 2020. “China’s poverty alleviation resettlement: Progress, problems and solutions.” Habitat Int. 98: 102135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2020.102135.
Zhang, Q., and S. A. Churchill. 2020. “Income inequality and subjective wellbeing: Panel data evidence from China.” China Econ. Rev. 60: 101392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2019.101392.
Zhang, Z., Z. Jia, and Z. Zhou. 2022. “Can urban green space cure homesickness? Case study on China poverty alleviation migrants in Anshun, Guizhou.” Urban For. Urban Greening 68: 127478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127478.
Zhao, J., and Y. Huang. 2021. “Physical characteristics of urban green spaces in relation to perceived safety.” J. Urban Plann. Dev. 147 (4): 5021032. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000742.
Zhao, S., and W. Li. 2018. “The dilemma and countermeasures of poverty alleviation by relocation in China: A literature review.” Social Secur. Stud. 2: 106–112. https://doi.org/CNKI:SUN:SHBY.0.2018-02-013.
Zhao, X., J. Xiao, and Y. Duan. 2018. “Relocation, farmland transfer and livelihood transformation of reservoir resettlement.” Resour. Sci. 40 (10): 1954–1965. https://doi.org/10.18402/resci.2018.10.05.
Zhu, D., Z. Jia, and Z. Zhou. 2021. “Place attachment in the ex-situ poverty alleviation relocation: Evidence from different poverty alleviation migrant communities in Guizhou Province, China.” Sustainable Cities Soc. 75: 103355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2021.103355.
Zhu, Y. 2015. “Toward community engagement: Can the built environment help? Grassroots participation and communal space in Chinese urban communities.” Habitat Int. 46: 44–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2014.10.013.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 149 • Issue 3 • September 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 5, 2022
Accepted: Feb 22, 2023
Published online: May 31, 2023
Published in print: Sep 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Oct 31, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Bibliographies
- Business management
- Case studies
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering profession
- Government
- Housing
- Information management
- Infrastructure
- Linear analysis
- Methodology (by type)
- Organizations
- Practice and Profession
- Professional development
- Public services
- Regression analysis
- Research methods (by type)
- Social network
- Statistical analysis (by type)
- Structural analysis
- Structural engineering
- Surveys (non-geomatic)
- Urban and regional development
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.