Locus of Control and the Psychological Quality of Life Among Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa in Germany: Results of a Representative Survey

Abstract

Many people with an African migration background in Europe are affected by discrimination and racism because of their skin color and culture and have a below-average socioeconomic status and quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to find starting points for improving the integration and QoL of people with a migration background from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) living in Germany. For the first time, a sample of 518 people from SSA (19-56 years) living in Germany was interviewed via an online survey in three languages about the psychological QoL and their locus of control as an indicator of their adjustment performance. The results of the nationwide survey pointed to a significant strong positive association between locus of control and psychological QoL among people from SSA in Germany (p<.010; r=.49). Here, age, length of residence in Germany, occupational group, and educational attainment were significantly related to locus of control beliefs and mental QoL. A multiple regression model showed that, among the socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors, educational attainment was a significant predictor for the relationship between psychological QoL and locus of control. About 24% of the variance in mental health was explained by locus of control beliefs and educational attainment. Education is a starting point for interventions to promote integration and mental health of migrants from SSA at different stages of life.