In the research conducted over the past few weeks, I first found some statistic data on the urbanisation in China. From 2000 to 2020, cities in China underwent rapid spatial expansion and restructuring. During this period, there was a dramatic increase in the number of people living separately from their registered households within urban districts, rising from 23.32 million in 2000 to 116.95 million in 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 20.08% (Chen, 2021). This trend has undoubtedly made it more challenging for urban residents to establish strong social bonds within their communities, and in turn, develop a stable sense of belonging and identity.
Further research explored the factors influencing the settlement intentions of China’s migrant population. It was found that labour migration to cities is driven not only by the pursuit of better wages and employment opportunities but also by the desire for better access to basic education, healthcare, and other public services (Xia and Lu, 2015). The concentration of resources in cities offers migrants better living and development opportunities, including economic prospects through relatively higher wages, improved quality of life through superior public services, and career advancement through quality employment opportunities (Wu, 2023). However, high housing prices and rent in cities also create a deterrent effect, making it more difficult for migrants to settle (Wu, 2023).
Based on the research, I developed the questionnaire to better understand the Emotional Experiences of Young Migrants in Urban China.
Section 1: Demographic Information
- Age:
- 18-24
- 25-30
- 31-35
- 36-40
- 41-45
- Gender:
- Male
- Female
- Other
- Educational Background:
- High school or below
- Vocational/Technical training
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree or higher
- Current Occupation:
- Student
- Employed (full-time)
- Employed (part-time)
- Self-employed
- Unemployed
- Other (please specify)
- Place of Origin:
- Rural area
- Small town
- Medium-sized city
- Large city
- Current City of Residence:
- (Open-ended)
Section 2: Migration Experience
- How long have you lived in your current city?
- Less than 1 year
- 1-2 years
- 3-5 years
- More than 5 years
- What was the primary reason for your move to this city? (Select all that apply)
- Employment opportunities
- Education
- Family reasons
- Better living conditions
- Access to public services (healthcare, education)
- Other (please specify)
- How would you describe your experience with the household registration (hukou) system?
- Very easy to navigate
- Somewhat easy to navigate
- Neutral
- Somewhat difficult to navigate
- Very difficult to navigate
- Have you been able to obtain an urban hukou in your current city?
- Yes
- No
Section 3: Social Integration and Urban Identity
- How connected do you feel to your current city?
- Very connected
- Somewhat connected
- Neutral
- Somewhat disconnected
- Very disconnected
- How often do you interact with your neighbours and local community?
- Daily
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Rarely
- Never
- Do you feel that your current city offers sufficient social support networks (e.g., friends, community groups)?
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
- To what extent do you feel a sense of belonging in your current city?
- Very strong
- Strong
- Moderate
- Weak
- Very weak
- Have you experienced any difficulties in establishing new social connections since moving to this city?
- Yes, significant difficulties
- Yes, some difficulties
- Neutral
- No, not really
- No, not at all
Section 4: Emotional Challenges and Coping Strategies
- How often do you feel nostalgic for your place of origin?
- Very often
- Often
- Occasionally
- Rarely
- Never
- Do you feel that the rapid urban changes (e.g., redevelopment, displacement) have affected your sense of identity and belonging?
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
- What are the main emotional challenges you have faced since moving to the city? (Select all that apply)
- Loneliness
- Stress from adapting to a new environment
- Difficulty maintaining connections with family/friends back home
- Struggles with urban identity
- Other (please specify)
- What strategies do you use to cope with these emotional challenges? (Select all that apply)
- Maintaining regular contact with family/friends
- Participating in community activities
- Seeking professional support (e.g., counselling)
- Engaging in hobbies and leisure activities
- Other (please specify)
Section 5: Settlement Intentions and Future Plans
- Do you intend to settle permanently in your current city?
- Yes
- No
- Unsure
- If you plan to leave, what are the main reasons? (Select all that apply)
- High cost of living (e.g., housing, rent)
- Lack of career opportunities
- Desire to return to place of origin
- Difficulty integrating into the community
- Other (please specify)
- What factors would most influence your decision to stay in your current city? (Select all that apply)
- Improved housing conditions
- Better job opportunities
- Enhanced social support networks
- Greater access to public services
- Other (please specify)
- How important is it for you to feel a strong sense of belonging in the city you live in?
- Very important
- Important
- Neutral
- Somewhat unimportant
- Not important at all
- In your opinion, what could be done to help young migrants like yourself feel more connected and supported in urban areas? (Open-ended)
Reference:
Chen, Y., 2021. Seventh National Population Statistics Report, Seventh National Population Statistics Report__China.gov.cn. Available at: https://www.gov.cn/guoqing/2021-05/13/content_5606149.htm (Accessed: 1 August 2024).
Wu, K. Z., 2023. Living and working in peace: A study on the factors influencing the willingness of young foreign talents to settle in large cities. Journal of East China Normal University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition), 55(4), p.162.
Xia, Y.R., and Lu, M., 2015. The Movements among Cities. Management World, 10, pp.78-90.