Objective Work-Related Factors, Job Satisfaction and Depression: An Empirical Study among Internal Migrants in China

Abstract

This study examines the associations between objective work-related factors, job satisfaction and depression among migrants in China. Data from a representative sample of Chinese migrants named Management and Services of Migrants Study (MSMS) were used after excluding 1068 self-employed participants. We employed multivariate linear regression analysis. Depression was measured by the Centre for Epidemiologic Study Depression (C-ESD) scale. Objective work-related factors included firm size, job classification, mode of employment, working hours per week, union membership and working overtime compulsorily. Measurement of job satisfaction was derived from the Job Descriptive Index. We found that migrants in the sales/services sector and the clerical/technical/managerial sector had more depressive symptoms compared with those in the manufacturing/transportation sector. Working more than 55 h per week was associated with more depressive symptoms. Working overtime compulsorily and joining a labour union were all associated with more depressive symptoms. In addition, job satisfaction was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. The research findings on the relationship between work-related factors and depressive symptoms may serve as a guide for vocational rehabilitation counselling programs and for further research on depression in workplaces.