Migration Background and Subjective Well-Being A Multilevel Analysis Based on the European Social Survey

Contributing to the debate on the integration of migrants in Europe, this study
focuses on Subjective Well-Being (SWB) of people with migration backgrounds
compared to people without a migration background – specifying SWB in terms
of successful integration. The analyses employ a multilevel perspective (data base:
European Social Survey). On the macro level, gross domestic product (GDP),
welfare regime, xenophobia and the migrant integration policy index (MIPEX) are
considered; on the micro level, social origin, education, unemployment, income
deprivation, relationship status, health status and controls. Findings indicate a
disadvantage in SWB of first-generation migrants that goes beyond deficits regarding
well-studied SWB determinants. The SWB gap between migrants and nonmigrants
is larger in countries with a high GDP and smaller in countries with a
high MIPEX score.