A Study on Factors Influencing and Pathways for Enhancing Rural Social Integration Among Returning Youth: A Case Study of Zhejiang Province

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jmsd.202612115

Author(s)

Sishi Xie, Zeyu Zheng, Li Wu*, Hao Liang

Affiliation(s)

China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

Under the rural revitalization strategy, the issue of returning youth "physically returning but failing to integrate into the village" has become prominent. Based on 428 valid questionnaires collected from 19 villages across 4 cities in Zhejiang Province, this study constructs a four-dimensional social support theoretical framework encompassing emotional, material, institutional, and organizational dimensions. Using multiple linear regression analysis, it empirically examines the factors influencing rural social integration among returning youth. Findings reveal that the four-dimensional social support framework explains 47.8% of the variance in integration levels. Emotional support and organizational support emerge as core drivers (β values of 0.383 and 0.367, respectively), while material and institutional support require synergistic coordination to be effective. The integration patterns of returning youth exhibit structural disparities: strong psychological identification and social interaction, but insufficient economic integration and public participation. Based on these findings, this paper proposes targeted pathways to strengthen emotional support, optimize organizational support, address material deficiencies, and enhance institutional effectiveness. These strategies provide theoretical and policy support for overcoming integration challenges and advancing rural talent revitalization.

Keywords

Returning Youth; Rural Social Integration; Social Support; Rural Revitalization; Influencing Factors

References

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