The Impact of Social Discrimination on the Mental Health of Migrant Workers: Evidence from China

Abstract

Migrant workers have been a central force in China’s rapid urbanisation and economic expansion, yet they continue to experience multiple forms of social discrimination that may adversely affect their mental health. Using nationally representative data from the 2016 China Family Panel Studies, this study investigates the association between social discrimination and mental health outcomes among migrant workers, with a particular focus on discrimination related to income inequality and household registration status. Mental health is assessed using indicators of life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. The empirical results demonstrate that perceived social discrimination is significantly associated with lower life satisfaction and higher levels of depression among migrant workers. Further heterogeneity analyses reveal that these negative effects are more pronounced for male migrant workers and those belonging to the first generation of migrants, indicating substantial variation in vulnerability across demographic groups. To explore the underlying mechanisms, mediation analyses are conducted and show that interpersonal trust plays a critical role in linking discrimination to mental health outcomes. Experiences of unfair treatment reduce individuals’ trust in others, which in turn exacerbates feelings of social isolation and emotional distress. By identifying both differential effects and a key psychological pathway, this study contributes to the literature on social inequality and mental health by elucidating how structural and social discrimination jointly shape mental health disparities among migrant workers. The findings underscore the importance of addressing not only institutional sources of discrimination but also the erosion of social trust when designing interventions aimed at improving the well-being of migrant populations in urban contexts.