Trajectories of psychological adaptation to Chinese older internal migrants: a latent transition model

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
ObjectivesLittle is known about the heterogeneity and transitions between psychological adaptation patterns in Chinese older internal migrants. This study addressed two questions: (a) Do distinct patterns of psychological adaptation exist among Chinese older internal migrants? (b) If so, what factors predict different trajectories?MethodThe study drew on two waves of data and involved 405 older internal migrants into Nanjing, China. First, a latent transition analysis was performed to visualize the different patterns of psychological adaptation. Second, an ecological model of resilience was used to identify the factors explaining the differences between adaptation patterns.ResultsThree main trajectories of psychological adaptation among Chinese older internal migrants over time were: recovery, stability and deterioration. Adaptation trajectories were associated with age, gender, length of stay, psychological resilience, self-esteem, family support, social participation, and living with a spouse.ConclusionChinese older internal migrants undertake heterogeneous psychological adaptation trajectories, and their positive adaptation is closely associated with coping resources. Our data may provide references for the identification of vulnerable older internal migrants, as well as the making of targeted interventions.
Funding Information
  • Social Science Foundation Project of People’s Republic of China (18BRK026)
  • Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (KYCX22_1768)

This publication has 66 references indexed in Scilit: