Mental health and self-evaluation of Chinese renters

Theory and prior research suggest linkages between mental health and self-evaluation. In the present study, we examined the relationship between mental health (depression, nervousness, and anxiety) and self-evaluation (satisfaction, confidence, hopelessness, uncapability, and meaninglessness) among 84 renters through the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Renters from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong in the public use micro-data files of CFPS make up the data sets for a series of regression models where mental health and self-evaluation act as the dependent variables. Sets of variables which measure housing quality and the socio-economic status of renters are used as independent variables. An ANOVA comparison of 84 respondents between mental health variables and self-evaluation variables indicates that significant sex similarity, partial construction area difference and total rent difference in eight dimensions of mental health and self-evaluation. Ordinary-least squares regression analysis found that mental health and self-evaluation were weakly associated with economic characteristics of renting house. Studies with interaction terms show that all lower-income private renters and purchasers are particularly likely to be affected. Program and policy implications for strengthening quality of life as a means to improve Chinese renters are discussed.