Aim of this paper is to measure the effect of demographic, human capital and 'immigration' variables on the self-reported life satisfaction of young and adult immigrants residing in seven European countries, using the Immigrant Citizens Survey (ICS). Self-reported life satisfaction has been used to evaluate the immigrants' integration within their country of residence, as it is commonly employed to estimate the perceived quality of life within a country or a specific social group. Results show that self-reported life satisfaction strongly depends on immigrants' demographic characteristics and human capital factors, such as age, marital status, current economic situation and perceived financial well-being. 'Immigration' variables also play a role in determining life satisfaction, thus proving that conditions at both the origin and destination are important in determining immigrants' self-reported life satisfaction. In particular, legal status and country of residence play a significant role in defining immigrants' life satisfaction, thus demonstrating that the rights, resources and restrictions immigrants find within their country of residence determine their subjective experience of integration.
Studying immigrant integration through self-reported life satisfaction in the country of residence
Paparusso A
2017
Abstract
Aim of this paper is to measure the effect of demographic, human capital and 'immigration' variables on the self-reported life satisfaction of young and adult immigrants residing in seven European countries, using the Immigrant Citizens Survey (ICS). Self-reported life satisfaction has been used to evaluate the immigrants' integration within their country of residence, as it is commonly employed to estimate the perceived quality of life within a country or a specific social group. Results show that self-reported life satisfaction strongly depends on immigrants' demographic characteristics and human capital factors, such as age, marital status, current economic situation and perceived financial well-being. 'Immigration' variables also play a role in determining life satisfaction, thus proving that conditions at both the origin and destination are important in determining immigrants' self-reported life satisfaction. In particular, legal status and country of residence play a significant role in defining immigrants' life satisfaction, thus demonstrating that the rights, resources and restrictions immigrants find within their country of residence determine their subjective experience of integration.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.