With the rapid advancement of urbanization in China, the number of migrant populations has continued to grow, and the educational and social adaptation issues of migrant adolescents have become increasingly prominent. This study integrates macro-level demographic data with empirical evidence from questionnaires and interviews to systematically examine the distribution, socio-psychological adaptation, and influencing mechanisms of migrant adolescents. The results indicate that migrant adolescents are mainly concentrated in eastern coastal regions, while central and western areas face the challenge of left-behind children due to the outflow of educational resources. No significant gender differences were found in school integration, psychological adjustment, or family support. However, the relationship between length of residence and psychological adaptation showed a nonlinear pattern—those who had lived in the city for longer periods tended to have lower levels of psychological adaptation. Although the number of school transfers did not significantly affect adaptation, family support played a notable buffering role. The findings suggest that the development of migrant adolescents is shaped by the interaction of institutional environments, regional policies, family capital, and individual resilience. Based on these insights, this paper recommends further reform of the household registration (hukou) system, promoting equitable access to education and public services, improving mental health support systems, and reinforcing family and community support networks. Despite limitations related to the cross-sectional data and sample representativeness, the study’s multidimensional analytical framework offers a new perspective on understanding the developmental challenges faced by migrant adolescents and provides guidance for future policy and research.

Yunya Mo. ESG Migrant Adolescents in Urbanizing China: Nonlinear Adaptation, Family Support, and Macro–Micro Dynamics. International Journal of Frontiers in Sociology (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 1: 40-46. https://doi.org/10.25236/IJFS.2026.080105.

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