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Determinants of Life Satisfaction of Economic Migrants Coming from Developing Countries to Countries with Very High Human Development: a Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Virginia Paloma

    (Universidad de Sevilla)

  • Marta Escobar-Ballesta

    (Universidad de Sevilla)

  • Blanca Galván-Vega

    (Universidad de Sevilla)

  • Juan Diego Díaz-Bautista

    (Universidad de Sevilla)

  • Isabel Benítez

    (Universidad de Granada)

Abstract

Expectations held by economic migrants about improving their post-mobility life satisfaction are not always met. Therefore, there is a need to guide the design of evidence-based policies and interventions to enhance life satisfaction equity between immigrant and host populations in receiving contexts. This study aims to identify the main determinants that impact life satisfaction of economic migrants coming from developing countries and settled in receiving societies that have a very high Human Development Index according to the United Nations Development Programme (Human Development Indices and Indicators, 2018, New York: UNDP). Following a systematic review process using the PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, 30 articles published between 2005 and 2018 were selected. The results indicate that economic migrants’ life satisfaction is facilitated by twelve determinants across three categories: structural integration (access to culturally competent community resources, housing conditions, legal status, and working conditions); social and cultural inclusion (adaptation to the target culture, community engagement, perceived discrimination, and social support network); and individual strengths (financial security, health, linguistic competence, and roots). An integrative conceptual framework of economic migrants’ life satisfaction is provided and implications for research and professional intervention in the field are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Virginia Paloma & Marta Escobar-Ballesta & Blanca Galván-Vega & Juan Diego Díaz-Bautista & Isabel Benítez, 2021. "Determinants of Life Satisfaction of Economic Migrants Coming from Developing Countries to Countries with Very High Human Development: a Systematic Review," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(1), pages 435-455, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:16:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11482-020-09832-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-020-09832-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bruno Arpino & Helga Valk, 2018. "Comparing Life Satisfaction of Immigrants and Natives Across Europe: The Role of Social Contacts," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 137(3), pages 1163-1184, June.
    2. Angela Paparusso, 2019. "Studying Immigrant Integration Through Self-Reported Life Satisfaction in the Country of Residence," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(2), pages 479-505, April.
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    5. Mohammad Abdul Munim Joarder & Mark Harris & Alfred M. Dockery, 2017. "Remittances and Happiness of Migrants and Their Home Households: Evidence Using Matched Samples," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(3), pages 422-443, March.
    6. Yoosun Chu & Ce Shen & Jie Yang, 2018. "Country-Level Bonding, Bridging, and Linking Social Capital and Immigrants’ Life Satisfaction," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 13(3), pages 745-759, September.
    7. Rocío Calvo & Felix Cheung, 2018. "Does Money Buy Immigrant Happiness?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(6), pages 1657-1672, August.
    8. Sara Alfieri & Elena Marta & Daniela Marzana, 2016. "The Multidimensional Nature Of Young Immigrants’ Well-Being," Rivista Internazionale di Scienze Sociali, Vita e Pensiero, Pubblicazioni dell'Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, vol. 132(1), pages 21-40.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Orhan Koçak & Emine İlme & Mustafa Z. Younis, 2021. "Mediating Role of Satisfaction with Life in the Effect of Self-Esteem and Education on Social Media Addiction in Turkey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Teodor Marian Cojocaru & George H. Ionescu & Daniela Firoiu & Laura Mariana Cismaș & Maria Daniela Oțil & Ovidiu Toma, 2022. "Reducing Inequalities within and among EU Countries—Assessing the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Targets (SDG 10)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-22, June.
    4. Aarthi Raghavan & Mehmet Akif Demircioglu & Serik Orazgaliyev, 2021. "COVID-19 and the New Normal of Organizations and Employees: An Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-19, October.
    5. Kerstin Mitterbacher, 2021. "Motives for economic migration: a review," Working Paper Series, Social and Economic Sciences 2021-07, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Karl-Franzens-University Graz.

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