Perceived stress and well-being of Polish migrants in the UK after Brexit vote.

Klaudia Martynowska,Tomasz Korulczyk,Piotr Janusz Mamcarz,Sergio A Useche

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0236168

Klaudia Martynowska, Tomasz Korulczyk + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236168

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Jul 23, 2020
Citations: 7	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate factors affecting personal well-being of Polish immigrants living in the UK in the face of a significant political change-the Brexit vote. We measured perceived changes in attitude or behaviour of supervisors and co-workers, respondents' perceived stress, and its outcomes such as psychological well-being and intention to leave the UK after the Brexit vote. 551 Polish migrants residing in various regions of the UK took part in the study in the form of Qualtrics online survey. We used self-report measures: Perceived Stress Scale, The Satisfaction with Life Scale, Scale of Psychological Well-being. The most of the respondents did not notice any change in the attitude or behaviour of the supervisor (81%) or co-workers (84%), and only a small percentage of the participants reported negative changes in attitude or behaviour of supervisors (9%) and co-workers (14%). Also, negative change in attitude or behaviour of supervisors or co-workers are associated with perceived stress, which inturn is linked with intention to leave the UK, psychological well-being and life satisfaction. Polish and British co-existence in a workplace setting has not changed much after the Brexit vote.

Highlights

Brexit has signified a political change but, more than anything, a major social change in immigrants’ life
Negative change in attitude or behaviour of supervisors or co-workers are associated with perceived stress, which inturn is linked with intention to leave the UK, psychological well-being and life satisfaction
The Brexit vote, among others, has elucidated the right-wing anti-globalisation movement which may result in negative social behaviours such as xenophobia reflected in the experience of minorities [2]

Summary

Objective

This study aimed to investigate factors affecting personal well-being of Polish immigrants living in the UK in the face of a significant political change—the Brexit vote. We measured perceived changes in attitude or behaviour of supervisors and co-workers, respondents’ perceived stress, and its outcomes such as psychological well-being and intention to leave the UK after the Brexit vote

Results

Introduction

Materials and methods

Discussion