A dynamic relationship between discrimination and psychological distress among rural migrant workers in China

Using two waves of China Family Panel Studies data, this study examines the dynamic relationship between discrimination and psychological distress among rural migrant workers, as well as exploring their association over time. Based on latent difference score analysis, we found that discrimination was a risk factor for high levels of psychological distress among rural migrant workers. A significant intra-individual decrease in experience of discrimination and a significant intra-individual increase in psychological distress were identified among rural migrant workers from 2010 to 2014. Finally, discrimination assessed in the baseline data wave (2010) predicted subsequent change in psychological distress, and psychological distress measured in the baseline wave also predicted subsequent change in discrimination. We also found that discrimination is more likely to affect psychological well-being than vice versa. These findings suggest that the government needs to further eliminate social–structural barriers and reduce the negative impact of discrimination on the psychological well-being of rural migrant workers in cities.