Digital Stories Link Migrants to Cities & Wellbeing in China

Researchers surveyed 890 internal migrants in Dongguan, China to understand how social media narratives about urban history and labor connect to their sense of belonging and life satisfaction. The study found that migrants who perceive strong urban memory narratives on social media experience greater place attachment. This attachment, along with a stronger urban identity, then correlates with increased life satisfaction.

Place attachment explained nearly 30% of the relationship between exposure to these narratives and overall wellbeing. The research specifically focused on story-based content, differentiating it from typical city branding or news coverage.

Notably, the length of time migrants had lived in Dongguan did not influence these relationships. Researchers suggest further longitudinal studies are necessary to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship between digital narratives and migrants’ integration into urban life.