Abstract
Existing qualitative studies focussed predominantly on exploring immigrants’ stress, distress and coping aimed at reducing stress. Little attention has been paid to immigrants’ psychological growth or positive life changes. In the present study, the impact of post-migration experiences on well-being among economic immigrants has been explored. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 17 immigrants. Transcripts were analysed by a deductive and inductive thematic analysis. All immigrants reported positive life changes as a result of migration. Experiences related to migration helped immigrants rebuild their sense of self-worth and find ‘mental peace’ after living a demanding and burdensome life in Poland. Immigrants’ accounts also suggested that their thinking and behaviour patterns may be shaped by their cultural values and socio-economic background. Overall, the study indicates that migration is not merely a stressful life event but can have a positive impact on many aspects of immigrants’ lives and may provide opportunities for personal growth.
Highlights
Migration & stressMigrants represent 3.1% of the world population (International Organization for Migration, 2013)
Overall, the study indicates that migration is not merely a stressful life event but can have a positive impact on many aspects of immigrants’ lives and may provide opportunities for personal growth
The data add to the emerging research on psychological growth; since immigrants found multiple benefits in economic migration, this indicates that a major life event such as economic migration can offer the potential for individuals’ growth
Summary
Migration & stressMigrants represent 3.1% of the world population (International Organization for Migration, 2013). The number of migrants is expected to rise despite increased efforts by many governments to limit immigration (International Organization for Migration, 2008). The largest number migrating from Poland to the UK occurred in 2004, when the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Sweden fully opening their labour markets to countries invited to join the European Union (Trevena, 2009). These immigrants left their home country due to a very difficult situation in the Polish labour market, which created a considerable migratory pressure (Trevena, 2009). Reasons for leaving included low pay, the lack of work at home, poor career development and low quality of life (Sim, Barclay and Anderson, 2007)
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