Depression and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Rural-to-urban Migrants in China: The Moderating Roles of Acculturation and Social Capital

Abstract

Previous studies have documented that depression is positively associated with sexual risk behaviors (SRB) among rural-to-urban migrants. Existing literature has also suggested that acculturation and social capital might moderate this positive relationship. However, data regarding the moderating effects of acculturation and social capital have been inconsistent. The current study aims to examine the relationship between depression and SRB, as well as the moderating roles of acculturation and social capital in this relationship. A sample of 641 young rural-to-urban migrants was recruited through a venuebased sampling approach in Beijing, China. Results indicated that depression was positively associated with SRB. Both acculturation and social capital moderated this relationship, but they showed different moderating effects. Specifically, the level of acculturation was protective against SRB among migrants with a higher level of depression but not among migrants with a lower level of depression. Social capital played a protective role among migrants with a lower level of depression but became a risk factor for those with a higher level of depression. These findings suggested that targeted interventions aiming to reduce depression, improve acculturation stress management skills, and utilize social capital are needed to reduce SRB among rural-to-urban migrants.