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Association between cultural distance and migrant self-rated health

Author

Listed:
  • Jens Detollenaere

    (Ghent University)

  • Stijn Baert

    (Ghent University
    Research Foundation-Flanders
    University of Antwerp
    Université catholique de Louvain)

  • Sara Willems

    (Ghent University)

Abstract

We study whether migrant health in Europe is associated with the cultural distance between their host country and country of origin. To this end, we run multilevel regression models on data merging self-rated health and social background of ≥3800 migrants from the European Social Survey with an index of cultural distance based on country differences in values, norms and attitudes measured in the World Values Survey. We find that higher levels of cultural distance are associated with worse migrant health. This association is comparable in size with the negative association between health and female (compared with male) gender but less important than the association between health and education level. In addition, this association is less significant among second-generation than first-generation migrants.

Suggested Citation

  • Jens Detollenaere & Stijn Baert & Sara Willems, 2018. "Association between cultural distance and migrant self-rated health," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 19(2), pages 257-266, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujhec:v:19:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s10198-017-0881-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10198-017-0881-y
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    1. Honkaniemi, Helena & Juárez, Sol Pía & Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal & Rostila, Mikael, 2020. "Psychological distress by age at migration and duration of residence in Sweden," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    2. Dan Kelleher & Samer Kharroubi & Edel Doherty & Gianluca Baio & Ciaran O’Neill, 2022. "Examining the Association between Polish Migrant Status and Health Preferences Using a Novel Application of a Smaller Design EQ-5D-5L Valuation Study," PharmacoEconomics - Open, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 425-435, May.
    3. Louise Devos & Louis Lippens & Dries Lens & François Rycx & Mélanie Volral & Stijn Baert, 2025. "Labour Market Disadvantages of Citizens with a Migration Background in Belgium: A Systematic Review," De Economist, Springer, vol. 173(1), pages 121-175, March.
    4. Katrien Vanthomme & Hadewijch Vandenheede, 2021. "Factors Associated with Return Migration of First-Generation Immigrants in Belgium (2001–2011)," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 37(3), pages 603-624, July.

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    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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