Worsen or Moderate? The Impact of Adult Children’s Out-Migration on the Elders’ Psychological Well-Being in Rural China

Using the data from the longitudinal survey “Well-being of Elderly in Anhui Province, China” conducted in 2001, 2003, and 2006 respectively, this study examines the impact of adult children’s out-migration on Chinese rural elders’ psychological well-being. The results show that, controlling the characteristics of the elders, the change of migrant sons has a negative effect on the elders' psychological well-being, especially for the older men, while, an increase in migrant daughters are associated with deterioration in psychological well-being of older women. Due to the gender roles and division in family, traditional living arrangement moderated the negative effect of adult children's out-migration on psychological well-being of older women. However, for older men, living with adult children implies an increase of demand, therefore, worsens their psychological well-being. These findings support an extension of economics of labor migration theory that incorporates the stress–health outcome framework.