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Legal Status Regularization, Satisfaction with Life and Gender: A Longitudinal Study of Undocumented Workers in Switzerland

Author

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  • Claudine Burton-Jeangros

    (University of Geneva
    University of Geneva
    University of Geneva)

  • Jan-Erik Refle

    (University of Geneva
    University of Geneva)

  • Julien Fakhoury

    (Haute école de travail social et de la santé Lausanne)

  • Liala Consoli

    (University of Geneva
    University of Geneva)

  • Yves Jackson

    (Geneva University Hospital, University of Geneva)

Abstract

Undocumented migrants face numerous challenges, including the risk of denunciation, precarious working and living conditions and discrimination. All these factors have the potential to influence their satisfaction with life. While men and women can be differently affected by those issues, data showing their influence on life satisfaction among female and male undocumented migrants are scarce. Even less is known about what happens once they have the opportunity to obtain a legal status. This paper examines the evolution of life satisfaction among undocumented migrants over time, taking into account changes in their residence status and the role of gender stratification in their contrasted life circumstances. It is based on unique longitudinal quantitative data collected over 4 waves in Geneva, Switzerland, along an exceptional regularization policy. Over the course of the study, women reported greater satisfaction with life than men despite their more adverse economic resources, housing, family and health circumstances. By using fixed and random effects models, we assess how these multiple gendered determinants along opportunities for regularization influence their respective well-being in specific ways.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudine Burton-Jeangros & Jan-Erik Refle & Julien Fakhoury & Liala Consoli & Yves Jackson, 2025. "Legal Status Regularization, Satisfaction with Life and Gender: A Longitudinal Study of Undocumented Workers in Switzerland," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 180(1), pages 441-460, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:180:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-025-03654-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-025-03654-2
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