Virtual Community, Sense of Belonging, and Mental Health Among Elderly Migrants in Urban China

• In Event: International Mobility and Policy Dilemmas: New Insights from Asia and the Americas

Abstract

In light of China's rapidly aging population and urbanization, there is an urgent need to address the mental health challenges faced by elderly migrants in their destination communities. These individuals, displaced from their familiar environments and navigating unsettled lives in urban settings, frequently encounter issues related to social identity and belonging. Although previous studies have highlighted these challenges, limited research has proposed strategies to enhance the mental health of elderly migrants in their destination communities. This study addresses this gap by investigating the relationships among social belonging, community engagement, and mental health in elderly migrants residing in Guangzhou. Particularly, it addresses the distinct impacts of participation in virtual versus traditional offline communities on mental health outcomes, enabled by digital technology and the rise of online communities. Drawing from the Guangzhou Metropolitan Panel Survey (GPS) data, we anticipate demonstrating the significance of both online and offline social engagement in alleviating mental health challenges among elderly migrants. Additionally, we expect that older migrants who use smartphones to participate in virtual communities will show higher levels of belonging and improved mental well-being, independent of their engagement in traditional community activities. This study argues that virtual communities offer a novel pathway for fostering a sense of belonging in an urban context, mitigating the potential social exclusion that elderly migrants may experience in offline community spaces.

Author

• Mengyuan NIU, Not in this list
  Presenting Author