Job stress and well‐being among internal migrant workers in China: A review and meta‐analysis

Abstract This review synthesized the findings from twenty‐one studies of the associations between job stress and well‐being among migrant workers in China. We conducted a systematic review and a meta‐analysis of the correlations between two types of job stress (i.e. high job demands and lack of job resources) and two aspects of well‐being (i.e. positive aspects and negative aspects). The results revealed a modest but significant association between job stress and positive aspects of well‐being ( r = −.179), and a modest but significant association between job stress and negative aspects of well‐being ( r = .256). Importantly, the association between job stress and negative aspects of well‐being was larger than the association between job stress and positive aspects of well‐being. Neither association was moderated by the indicators of job stress or by a set of study characteristics and sample characteristics. The findings contribute to the literature by clarifying the inconsistent findings of occupational health psychology research regarding the effect of job stress on Chinese migrant workers’ well‐being. The findings suggest that future studies should distinguish the differential effects of job stress on positive versus negative aspects of well‐being.