Youth psychosocial development in migrant families: Implications for community intervention

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Family migration has been found to profoundly impact youth psychosocial development. Over the past three decades, China’s urbanization has led to over 200 million migrants moving from rural to urban areas, which represents the largest population movement in the world’s modern history (UNICEF, 2010). Consequently, nearly 100 million children and youth are affected by family migration in China, some of which moved to cities with their parents and some stay in rural hometown while their parents moved to cities. Both groups are exposed to various risks, including higher self-perceived marginalization, loneliness, depressive symptoms, and social anxiety than their non-migrant peers. While western research has increasingly discussed prevention-based interventions that protect at-risk youth psychosocial well-being, no systematic evidence-based, prevention-focused interventions have been provided to this massive at-risk youth population in China. This study explores the psychosocial needs of Chinese youth from migrant families, and identifies culturally-applicable approaches to address these needs. Method: Individual interviews, focus groups, and surveys were used to identify the psychosocial needs of migrant youth. First, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 60 Chinese migrant youth to explore their emotional strengths and challenges, peer interaction, and sources of support from their families, schools, and neighborhoods. In addition, 10 nonprofit staff who work with migrant communities in China were also interviewed to explore the impact of their existing programs, feedback from service recipients, and prospects of future services. Second, five focus groups were conducted with teachers in migrant communities as well as migrant parents to discuss their students/their children’s psychosocial risks, sources of support in schools and families, and challenges in daily school or family life. Third, standard self-reported surveys were used to assess youth psychosocial status. Content and thematic analyses were used to analyze focus group and interview data. Bivariate analyses were used to examine the relationship between youth psychosocial status and their demographic characteristics (gender, age, family socioeconomic status, etc.) Results: The sampled youth presented significant psychosocial challenges at school and home, such as low self-efficacy, loneliness, inadequate emotional support, and inadequate interpersonal skills. Meanwhile, protective factors for these youths’ psychosocial well-being were identified: high independence and executive functioning, high parental expectation, adequate parental monitoring, and support from extended family and community members. Although nonprofit organizations are providing certain services in migrant communities (e.g. social work groups in migrant schools), many of the programs are uncoordinated and non-evidence-based. Overall, current social services for this youth population lack preventive focus, individual and community strengths-based approach, and community collaboration. Implications: By identifying the key psychosocial needs of Chinese youth from migrant families, this study explores culturally-applicable approaches to promote psychosocial well-being of this massive at-risk youth population. The findings suggest possible ways to adapt existing western approaches as well as develop context-specific programs to meet these youths’ needs in the Chinese sociocultural context, such as school-based executive function trainings, parenting support, and extended family involvement. The study informs prevention-focused social services for youth from migrant families in China and beyond.