From rural to urban: Conflicts and adaptation of multiple identities in migration

In developing countries such as China, internal migration poses significant challenges to public health and social integration, as migrants often experience profound intraindividual conflicts and transformations in identity. Despite its importance, the internal cognitive mechanisms behind identity integration remain underexplored, particularly regarding how migrants reconcile multiple identities within a cohesive self-concept. To address this gap, we developed a bidirectional and multidimensional framework to examine the dynamics and trajectories of identity changes among internal migrants in intercultural contexts. Drawing on data from a 2015-2016 survey of rural-urban migrants in Guangzhou, we used latent class analysis to identify four hybrid identity categories, alongside five subtypes of self-identity and four subtypes of social identity. Additionally, in-depth interviews revealed several developmental trajectories connecting new identities with preexisting ones, highlighting how migrants’ perceptions of self-identity and social identity changes shape their hybrid identities. Our findings illuminate the cognitive and social underpinnings of identity transformation among migrants, offering insights into their mental health and social well-being. By validating our theoretical framework, this research contributes to understanding the interplay between migration, identity, and public health outcomes, providing a foundation for culturally sensitive health interventions and policy-making in diverse sociocultural settings.