How do relocatees adapt? a longitudinal investigation into the spatiotemporal evolution and internal mechanisms of social adaptation in post-relocation life

This study employs longitudinal survey data (2020–2024) from 638 poverty-alleviation resettlement households in China. Using Wilcoxon test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and structural equation model, it systematically analyses the spatiotemporal evolution patterns and mechanisms of action of social adaptation at the levels of life adaptation, economic adaptation, and psychological adaptation. The findings reveal that: (1) Social adaptation improved sequentially, with economic adaptation showing the greatest gains, followed by psychological and life adaptation; (2) A clear center-periphery spatial pattern emerged, featuring high adaptation in core urban areas such as Guiyang and Zunyi, medium levels in regions like Bijie, and relatively lagging adaptation in Qianxinan and Qiannan; (3) The mechanism follows a hierarchical mediated pathway: life adaptation → economic adaptation → psychological adaptation. These findings can serve as empirical evidence for the formulation of targeted follow-up support policies to improve the adaptive capacity of relocatees and contribute to rural revitalization.