The Determinants of Well-Being Among International Economic Immigrants: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Over the past decades migration has increased dramatically. Most of the scientific literature on immigrant mental health has focussed on stress, distress and mental illness. Less attention has been paid to positive aspects in particular mental well-being. The existing studies among immigrants who move for economic, educational or personal reasons have not been systematically reviewed and analysed to provide an overview of the factors which may affect their subjective well-being. Further, we do not know the extent to which the existing integrative theory of well-being, the Theory of Sustainable Happiness (Lyubomirsky, et al., 2005) derived from research on general population is substantiated by research conducted with immigrants. To address these gaps we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the determinants of well-being among international immigrants. Overall 11 studies met inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The analyses revealed that social support and dispositional factors (e.g. optimism, self-esteem) are strongly related to well-being whilst circumstantial factors such as income or duration of migration have weak and nonsignificant relationship with it. The findings are consistent with the Theory of Sustainable Happiness (2005) which suggests that circumstantial factors account for much less variance of well-being than dispositional factors because people tend to adapt to their circumstances. The study highlights the critical role of social support and intrapersonal factors in promoting and sustaining well-being of immigrants.

‘Healing Young Hearts’: <i>emotional and psychosocial dimensions of well-being among young–adult Spanish migrants in the London region</i>

“…These findings corroborate literature that suggests that social networks -especially those with co-ethnics -are significant predictors of high levels of well-being because they help migrants to acquire new resources and enhance their chances of coping successfully in difficult situations (Bak-Klimek et al 2015;Mähönen, Leinonen & Jasinskaja-Lahti 2013). Although social networks were more significant for low-skilled Spaniards, they also played a crucial role during the adaptation process of the two other categories.…”

“…Previous studies have highlighted the role of well-being in the migration process from a range of perspectives, including psychology (Bhugra 2004;Bak-Klimek et al 2015), education (Dodge et al 2012), and the interdisciplinary fields of migration studies and development studies (Wright 2012;Vathi 2017). A parallel but closely interconnected discourse arises from the so-called 'emotional turn' in migration studies (Gray 2008;Boccagni & Baldassar 2015;Svašek 2010), within which we also draw attention to the notion of 'emotional capital' (Cottingham 2016).…”

“…Clearly, the well-being of migrants is multidimensional -not only related to incomes and material items but also comprising a strong personal, emotional dimension, including the migrant's relationships with others in the new setting (Wright 2012;Boccagni & Baldassar 2015;Vathi 2017). Indeed, the literature suggests that aspects of subjective well-being, such as achievement of migration expectations, social networks, and personal attitudes such as optimism, resilience, or confidence, can ultimately have a stronger effect on well-being than objective factors such as income or sociodemographic characteristics (Bak-Klimek et al 2015;Elgorriaga, Ibabe & Arnoso 2016).…”

“…Exploring emotions and well-being during the adaptation period provides a more multidimensional understanding of the integration of the migrant in the host country, including their sense of belonging there (Boccagni & Baldassar 2015). Previous research has identified the various factors that influence the adaptation period, including cultural aspects of the host country, language knowledge, religion, economic hardship, educational level, occupational trajectory, perceived discrimination, fulfilment of migration expectations, and social support (see, inter alia, Mähönen, Leinonen & Jasinskaja-Lahti 2013;Bak-Klimek et al 2015;Elgorriaga, Ibabe & Arnoso 2016). Adaptation and belonging might also depend on the difference between the two cultures and willingness of the individual to change (Bhugra 2004).…”

The Local Conception of Wellbeing in Lao Social Cultural Construction

“…It is now recognized that mental health is not merely the absence of mental illness, but also the presence of the subjective wellbeing (Keyes, 2005;Bak-Klimek, 2013). Mental health includes seeing their children grow up and succeed, spirits of the Lao people who are happy in their occupation, living in the safe environment, having good leader and public management, proud and satisfied with their living, meriting and doing religion's activities.…”