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Emotional resilience and maternal mental health among spanish-speaking mothers facing migration stress in China

Ying Gao(1),


(1) Foreign Language College Changchun University, China
Corresponding Author

Abstract


The rapid economic rise of China has encouraged a growing number of migrants from Latin America and Spain to pursue employment, education, and family life across major Chinese cities. Mothers who relocate to China often experience language barriers, cultural distance, limited support networks, and irregular access to mental health services. These stressors shape their emotional resilience and psychological well-being. This study examines the associations between migration-related stress, emotional resilience, and maternal mental health among Spanish-speaking mothers living in China. Using a cross-sectional survey of 250 mothers residing in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, the study employs validated scales including the Migration Stress Scale (MSS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Regression analysis reveals that higher migration stress is significantly associated with poorer maternal mental health, while emotional resilience moderates this relationship. Findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive interventions, access to Spanish-language counseling, and community support structures for migrant mothers in China

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