Abstract
Purpose
There is a lack of population-based studies on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and satisfaction with life (SWL) of
immigrants compared to the native populations. Findings of previous research are inconclusive. Our study compares HRQoL and
SWL in immigrants and native-born Germans, investigating immigration-related factors as suspected determinants of HRQoL and
SWL in immigrants.
immigrants compared to the native populations. Findings of previous research are inconclusive. Our study compares HRQoL and
SWL in immigrants and native-born Germans, investigating immigration-related factors as suspected determinants of HRQoL and
SWL in immigrants.
Results
Native-born Germans report a higher amount of SWL and of HRQoL on the physical health component compared to the immigrants.
With effect sizes ranging from E² = 0.001 to 0.111, these findings are of minimal practical relevance. In immigrants, the
physical health component of HRQoL is significantly associated with younger age at migration and with country of origin. As
the effect sizes are extremely low, these findings have limited practical relevance.
With effect sizes ranging from E² = 0.001 to 0.111, these findings are of minimal practical relevance. In immigrants, the
physical health component of HRQoL is significantly associated with younger age at migration and with country of origin. As
the effect sizes are extremely low, these findings have limited practical relevance.
Conclusion
There are small differences in SWL and HRQoL of immigrants and native-born Germans. Some immigration-related factors are related
to HRQoL, but not to SWL. As immigrants are a quite heterogeneous group, it seems useful to focus on immigration-related factors,
not simply comparing immigrants and the native-born. Our findings suggest that research on the association of immigration-related
factors with quality of life in immigrants seems a promising approach to better identify subgroups of immigrants with lower
levels of quality of life.
to HRQoL, but not to SWL. As immigrants are a quite heterogeneous group, it seems useful to focus on immigration-related factors,
not simply comparing immigrants and the native-born. Our findings suggest that research on the association of immigration-related
factors with quality of life in immigrants seems a promising approach to better identify subgroups of immigrants with lower
levels of quality of life.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-012-0239-y
- Authors
- Yuriy Nesterko, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Elmar Braehler, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Gesine Grande, Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, University of Applied Sciences of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Heide Glaesmer, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343