The Domestic Migration Stress Questionnaire (DMSQ): Development and Psychometric Assessment

Abstract

The growing trend in domestic migration needs empirically based instruments to assess stresses experienced by millions of migrants. We developed the Domestic Migration Stress Questionnaire (DMSQ), the first instrument for measuring domestic migration stress, with reference to published instruments for assessing international migration related stresses. The DMSQ is the first tool designed to measure domestic migration stress. It consists of 16 items and organized into four subconstructs (separation from origin, rejection in the destination, lack of self-confidence and maladaptation). Rigorous psychometric assessment using data collected among rural-to-urban migrants in China (n=77, mean age=24.34, SD=5.85) indicated that DMSQ has a clear four-factor structure, excellent reliability (Cronbach alpha = .93), and adequate validity (significantly related to Perceived Stress Scale score, and predicted an array of stress-related mental health symptoms). The DMSQ provides an instrument much needed for research to assess levels of stress associated with domestic migration. Additional studies are needed to assess its utilities in other places outside of China and to assess longitudinal characteristics of the instrument.

Migration Stress, Poor Mental Health, and Engagement in Sex with High-Risk Partners: a Mediation Modeling Analysis of Data from Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China

“…Migration stress was assessed using the Domestic Migration Stress Questionnaire (DMSQ) (Chen, Yu, Gong, et al, 2015). DMSQ was developed based on the Barcelona Immigration Stress Scale, and was directly tied to the loneliness and acculturation theory (Tomas-Sabado, Qureshi, Antonin, & Collazos, 2007).…”

“…There is a growing number of people who are migrating from rural areas to urban areas within a country and from less developed countries to more developed countries to pursue better opportunities (Berry, 1997; Chen, Yu, Gong, Zeng, & MacDonell, 2015; Yu, Chen, & Li, 2014). The process of migration is very stressful due to various expected and unexpected challenges and difficulties (Chen, Yu, Gong, et al, 2015; Weine & Kashuba, 2012; Yu et al, 2014).…”

“…(2) Acculturation theory: when migrants adapt and assimilate into the host culture and lifestyle, they may feel being alienated and marginalized due to the experiences of discrimination and rejection (Berry, 1997). In this case, staying with migrants rather than people in the place of destination may in fact increase stress (Carpiano, Kelly, Easterbrook, & Parsons, 2011; Chen, Yu, Gong, et al, 2015; Rudmin, 2003; Thomas, 1995). …”

“…Migration stress is referred to the stress due to migration, including separation from the place of origin, rejection by people in the destination, lack of self-confidence, and Maladaptation to the destination (Chen, Yu, Gong, et al, 2015; Sirin et al, 2013). Findings from published studies demonstrated a positive association between migration stress and poor mental health among migrants, including somatic symptoms, obsessive-compulsive symptoms (Revollo et al, 2011), depression (Sirin et al, 2013), anxiety (Hovey & Magana, 2000), and hostility (D.…”

Association between Spouse/Child Separation and Migration-Related Stress among a Random Sample of Rural-to-Urban Migrants in Wuhan, China

“…Therefore, live events cannot be used to assess migration related stress. In a recent research, Chen et al used four components to describe domestic migration-related stress, including separation from people in the place of origin, rejection by people in the destination, lack of self-confidence, and maladaptation to life in the destination [ 16 ]. A measurement instrument, the Domestic Migration Stress Questionnaire (DMSQ) is thus established and available for use to assess domestic migration-related stress [ 17 , 18 ].…”