The Determinants of Well-Being Among Polish Economic Immigrants. Testing the Sustainable Happiness Model in Migrant Population

Anna Bak-Klimek (), Thanos Karatzias, Lawrie Elliott and Rory MacLean
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Anna Bak-Klimek: Edinburgh Napier University
Thanos Karatzias: Edinburgh Napier University
Lawrie Elliott: Glasgow Caledonian University
Rory MacLean: Edinburgh Napier University

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2018, vol. 19, issue 6, No 1, 1565-1588

Abstract: Abstract Economic migration has increased dramatically over the past decades, yet, still little is known about the well-being of economic migrants. Most studies focus on the poor mental health of migrants. The few studies that examine well-being do not include a comprehensive range of predictors. They focus mostly on socio-economic factors and a limited number of cognitive-behavioural factors. Furthermore, most research is not theoretically based. The present study aims to (1) examine a comprehensive range of determinants of well-being (i.e. circumstantial, cognitive-behavioural and personality) among economic migrants; (2) establish the extent to which the findings are supported by an integrative theory of well-being—the Sustainable Happiness Model (SHM). A total of 188 Polish immigrants living in Scotland took part in the study. Participants completed a survey on well-being and potential predictors: circumstantial factors (e.g. socio-demographics), cognitive-behavioural factors (e.g. coping strategies) and personality. The data were analysed by descriptive statistics, multiple and hierarchical regression. The results indicated that cognitive-behavioural factors account for most variance in well-being and personality explains the least variance. This contradicts the SHM which posits that well-being is mostly accounted for by the set-point. It was argued that the SHM, largely based on studies conducted on non-migrant populations in developed countries, may not be applicable in its current form to economic migrant populations or non-western cultures. A modified model is proposed to explain well-being of migrant populations and non-western, more collectivistic societies. The study highlights the importance of addressing migrants’ adverse circumstances to help maintain well-being.

Keywords: Well-being; Happiness; Migration; Culture; Personality; Model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-017-9877-7

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