Migration Experience Research Articles

Motivations behind TikTok content creation among Gen Z expatriates

Abstract This study investigates the motivations behind TikTok content creation among Vietnamese Gen Z expatriates by exploring the interplay of the social comparison theory and the Uses and Gratifications Theory in shaping their engagement with the platform. Through qualitative interviews, we uncover the dual role of TikTok in their lives: a tool for fostering social connection and personal expression and a platform for social comparison and validation. These findings illuminate the complex interplay between digital media use and the experience of digital migration, highlighting how Gen Z expatriates navigate transnational identities and seek belonging in an increasingly interconnected world. The study contributes to the ongoing discourse on digitalization and expatriation, emphasizing the multifaceted role of social media in shaping the experiences of young migrants in the digital age.

Mapping migrants’ narratives: A qual‐GIS approach to Cairns’ urban liveability

AbstractThis study introduces a novel approach to urban liveability research by combining interviews with participatory mapping techniques. More specifically, the research integrates concepts from geographic information systems (GISs) with episodic narrative interviews to develop a qualitative GIS (qual‐GIS) methodology to map and interpret the spatial experiences of recent migrants to Cairns. This qual‐GIS approach involves participants annotating amenity maps with personal narratives, effectively geolocating subjective experiences, and providing visual representations of liveability insights. During mapping sessions, participants identified and highlighted significant locations by annotating maps with pens and sticky notes to express their spatial stories and place attachments. Analysis of annotated maps in ArcGIS enabled the juxtaposition of qualitative insights with quantitative data, offering a rich, spatially informed understanding of liveability in place. The maps transcended their function as mere analytical instruments or memory aides, and the activity evolved into a platform for migrants to articulate experiences of, and emotional ties to the city. This approach enhances understandings of urban liveability from first‐hand experiences and establishes qual‐GIS approaches as valuable tools in urban and regional policy and research.

Finding Ways to Spain: migration experiences in the navigation of Beni Ensar-Melilla border

Existing literature has examined transnational migration in the border zone of Beni Ensar (Morocco) and Melilla (Spain) from various perspectives. However, there is relatively little exploration of the experience of crossing this border. This article aims to address this gap by utilizing qualitative research conducted with migrants assisted by the Spanish Red Cross. The work employs a theoretical framework of migration trajectories and focuses on three types of border crossing experiences: by land, by sea, and as unaccompanied minors. The objective is to comprehend how participants describe the Beni Ensar-Melilla border area, the strategies they employ to navigate the border, and the significance of crossing it for them. I argue that, firstly, in order to navigate this challenging borderland, participants needed to cooperate with other migrants and demonstrate persistence. Additionally, unaccompanied minors relied on specific laws and reception conditions. Secondly, the act of migrating is linked to ideal plans in Europe that, if realized, have the potential to enhance the lives of participants and their families.

Enhancing Conversations in Migrant Counseling Services: Designing for Trustworthy Human-AI Collaboration

Migrants often face a complex situation for navigating services and administrative processes to transition and integrate into a new environment. They rely on guidance from service advisors and informal peers like other migrants to assist them. Service advisors try to understand, explore, and resolve migrant concerns through conversational interaction, while often seeking advice from other domain experts. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI)-mediated communication holds the potential for enhancing communication between migrants and service advisors while leveraging the expertise of service advisors and facilitating migrants' autonomy in the integration process. Our research investigates the social context, mental models, and challenges encountered in guidance counseling for migrants in Finland, while examining what role AI-mediated communication can play in supporting the process. Based on our findings, we propose design implications for improving shared understanding between service advisors and migrants through salient summarization of conversations and creating collaborative visual narratives. Our findings also indicate the crucial role of leveraging peer-based knowledge between (and within) service advisors, domain experts, and migrants, which can be facilitated by AI-based tools. Our exploratory research offers insights into human-centered AI integration in the migration process, as well as the opportunities and challenges of using AI-mediated communication to improve the migrant experience.

Migration experience and risky financial assets investments of county households: evidence from China

Enhancing the support for inclusive finance in county economies is crucial in achieving the strategic goal of building financial power. Drawing upon the theoretical lens of county-level inclusive financial accessibility, this study examines the effect of the migration experience (ME) of county socialites on their risky financial assets investment (FAI) and the underlying mechanisms. We utilize data sourced from the County Consumption Survey, a nationwide effort by the Department of Sociology of Tsinghua University and the 58 Tongzhen Research Group. Our findings reveal that the ME of county socialites significantly boosts their likelihood of engaging in financial markets. Furthermore, housing inequality factors, such as housing property rights and housing loans, play a moderating role in the impact of individual ME on their FAI. Additionally, the financial concept has a masking effect rather than a mediating effect on the path of the ME affecting FAI. Notably, the promotion effect of ME displays heterogeneity. Specifically, ME has a stronger positive effect on FAI among college-educated groups, members of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and urban hukou residents than on those who have not completed college education, non-CPC members and rural hukou households. In light of these findings, we propose policy recommendations to optimize the distribution of financial services, adjust the housing equality policy, and enhance inclusive financial literacy.

Deservingness and temporal borders: the reproduction of global mobility hierarchies in Swedish family reunification

European immigration policy is increasingly selective and stratified, favoring immigrants considered productive in the eyes of society. Using the case of Swedish family reunification, this article investigates how ideas of deservingness underlie this selection process and how it intersects with temporal bordering, impacting hierarchies of transnational mobility. Through qualitative interviews with individuals across a spectrum of legal statuses, the study finds that the increased connection between immigration policy and the housing and labor markets, combined with restrictions concerning visas, age, and legal status, induce and reproduce inequalities in waiting times and access to reunification. Within these restrictions, however, families find ways to circumvent the wait and get family time. The study contributes to the temporal turn in migration studies by exploring reunification among families with diverse backgrounds, complementing previous literature’s focus on the experiences of forced migrants. By considering how deservingness and temporal bordering shape mobility, the article offers both conceptual and empirical contributions to mobility and migration studies. Ultimately, the study brings forward a nuanced analysis of the consequences of restrictive shifts in Swedish immigration policy, contributing to the broader understanding of the current, transnational, mobility regimes.

A new life with a new language: Russophone immigrants' reflections about language learning.

This research investigates resilience and lived experiences of transnational Russophone families amidst global changes, with a focus on the intricate dynamics of communities spread across borders. The study emphasizes the importance of considering individual migrant experiences in understanding language learning and integration. We explored perceptions of local language proficiency among Russophones; challenges faced by adult Russophones in learning a new language; attitudes and experiences of adults regarding language learning; and strategies Russophone immigrants use to address gaps in the target language. Methodologically, the research employs ethnographic and thematic analyses, drawing on a diverse array of sources including interviews, social media posts, and personal communications. This approach highlights the necessity of considering both prompted responses and spontaneous discussions to capture authentic opinions on language learning from various perspectives. The study underscores the interconnectedness and interdependence within transnational families, illustrating how their lives are shaped by factors that transcend national boundaries. The examination of their diverse experiences reveals their capacity to endure and overcome challenges of integrating into new societies. Russophone migrants' attitudes toward language learning highlight how learning the host country's language enhances integration and social mobility, while maintaining the native language preserves cultural heritage, although second-generation immigrants often feel disconnected from their linguistic roots. Studies by various authors discuss challenges which immigrants face when adapting to a new linguistic environment. This project emphasizes the impact of language learning on identity and reveals cultural flexibility in attaining social justice in multicultural contexts. These insights suggest that language programs and policies should address both the practical needs of immigrants and the preservation of their cultural identities taking into account their naïve views about language learning.

Death and mourning in times of COVID-19. The experience of Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa

The paper deals with the effects of the regulations and restrictions on the handling of corpses and funerals among Zimbabwean migrant families who lost relatives in South Africa during the COVID-19 epidemic in the years 2020 and 2021. Interviews were conducted with members of this migrant community. The interviews revealed a range of affective and material dimensions entangled in these multiple losses, highlighting therefore experiences of truncated grief. Restrictions on funerals and burials forced immobility on the living and their dead; on bereaved communities, themselves and their corpses are forms of biopower that multiplied losses among cross-border migrant communities. The loss of autonomy of communities around death rituals and burial places constitute realms where the materiality of death is revealed. I look at both the loss of human life and the emotional losses associated with the limitations imposed on the dead body under COVID-19.

Disability-Related Risks Among Women and Girls Who Are Forcibly Displaced from Venezuela

Our study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Venezuelan refugee/migrant women and girls with disabilities to guide humanitarian assistance. The data analysed was part of a larger cross-sectional study whereby refugees and migrants in Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil were asked to share the migration experiences of a Venezuelan woman or girl. The sample for this analysis was drawn from one of the survey questions that asked participants whether the woman/girl in the narrative identified as a person with a disability. Thematic analysis using inductive coding was performed. A total of 126 narratives were included in the final analysis, of which four major themes were identified. Venezuelan refugees and migrants with disabilities described experiences of discrimination, violence, and physical challenges, such as exacerbation of symptoms while in transit. In host countries, refugees and migrants experienced a lack of disability-related accommodations in the workplace and long wait times when trying to obtain healthcare. Since discrimination is a cross-cutting issue, human rights awareness highlighting the dignity of persons with disabilities is imperative. Resources and support for Venezuelan refugee and migrant women and girls with disabilities should aim to create accessible employment opportunities, safe and timely access to medical care, and prioritise violence prevention.

Self-help groups for people with migration experience

Abstract Background Self-help groups as voluntary associations of people to jointly cope with illnesses or psychological problems are sometimes regarded as the fourth pillar of the health care system. Still, so far people with migration experience do not resp. less participate in self-help groups in Austria. The project aimed therefore on identifying related obstacles and solutions. Methods A mixed-methods approach was chosen: a systematic literature search; interviews, focus groups and workshops; including people with migration experience and experts. A concept for self-help groups was delevoped in a participatory way, piloted in Vienna and evaluated. Results The study confirmed, that the concept of self-help groups as they are usually implemented in Austria is not known among people with migration experience. But there is a great need for exchange among those with a chronic illness or their relatives. Success factors and obstacles are mainly related to the access to people with a migration experience and the way how such self-help groups are set up. Much time needs to be invested in developing a common understanding of the concept of a self-help group and in maintaining contacts. However, despite the of the personal benefit, the often stressful life situation of people with migration experience is an obstacle for continuous participation or even initiating a self-help group oneself. Conclusions The project showed, that, although the concept of self-help groups is often not known, people with a migration experience can benefit from it. But more support is needed than is usually provided by the established self-help organisations. A change in the understanding of self-help groups on the one hand and integrating such activities in services/associations working with migrants on the other hand could improve the access for people with migration experience to this important pillar of the health care system. Key messages • Several obstacles hinder people with migration experience in participating in self-help groups in Austria, e.g. the concept itself is unknown to them. • Implementing a specific concept for self-help groups with support by professionals can facilitate the access of this population group to an important part of the health care system.

Risk communication with migrants: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic experience in Malmö

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, many migrants faced challenges in accessing, comprehending and implementing information, leading to mis- and disinformation and distrust. The pandemic underscored the importance of effective risk communication (RC) and community engagement (CE) that reaches all segments of society, both for managing health effects and preventing the reinforcement of discrimination and stigmatization. This study aims to describe the experience of RCCE targeting migrants in Malmö, Sweden, from an expert perspective. Further, to gain an in-depth understanding of the requirements for inclusive RCCE actions and to identify alternative or complementary strategies based on good local practices. Methods Individual interviews were conducted with experts representing civil society and public authorities who were purposely sampled based on their engagement with RCCE targeting migrants. The interview guide was based on a review of international guidelines addressing aspects of RCCE, and analysed with content analysis. Results Three key organisations working towards undocumented migrants; unaccompanied minors; and newly arrived refugees, respectively, were included. Findings are synthesized into three key insights: a) RC through trusted sources in safe spaces; b) Understanding migrant living conditions c) Promoting intersectoral collaboration and feedback loops. Experts underscored the importance of cultivating sustainable and relationships with migrant communities to effectively communicate, aiding in compliance and counter distrust. The significance of intersectoral collaboration and communication pathways was highlighted for assessing migrant specific needs and designing appropriate interventions. Conclusions Long-term trusting relationship facilitate RC. Embedding sustainability within intersectoral collaboration structures is imperative to facilitate swift mobilization during health crises, foster resilience, and counter health inequities.

Characteristics and Views of Young Unaccompanied Migrants Transitioning to Independent Living in the Catalan (Spain) Protection System

AbstractIn Spain, unaccompanied migrant minors receive care provision from the government. This article analyzes the experience of unaccompanied young migrants in the protection system of Catalonia (Spain) and their preparation for the transition to independent living. A survey with 90 unaccompanied migrant youths who were about to leave care was conducted. The results show that many of the participants were in non-specific transitional housing placements (67.7%), with scarce opportunities for developing basic independent living skills. Moreover, 29.4% of young people were not aware of the existence of an emancipation plan, and 10.3% felt that they had not received any preparation for independent living. Although only 24.4% had completed secondary education or higher, the majority were enrolled in some form of training (82.2%). Nevertheless, most of the young people had had some paid unskilled work experience (83.3%) in their countries of origin. Despite this, when interviewed, only 10% of the participants were working, and their prospects for emancipation were challenging. Their main concerns were their legal status (40.2%), finding a job (41.4%), and finding a place to live once they reached legal age (34.2%). Moreover, the youths’ social support networks were very precarious: 43.5% could count on only one person or no one at all when they needed material support, and their main source of support was educators. Implications for social work practice are discussed.

Conversation circles – an inventive way to talk about and address migratory related mental health

Abstract Refugees in European countries face psychological stressors stemming from pre-, peri- and post-migration experiences. In Sweden, a mental health promotion program for newly settled refugees “Ways Forward - After the escape”, was tried out to mitigate the consequences of negative migratory experiences. The program included training of course leaders and implementation of conversation circles for participants, i.e., short in-depth courses for smaller groups led by a trained leader. The objective of the program was to equip civic communicators working within the Introduction program for refugees with the necessary skills to lead conversation circles on mental health in cities in the south of Sweden. During 2020-2023, 43 course leaders were trained and 55 refugees participated in conversation circles. The course leader training included 50 hours of training on themes of the program “Ways Forward”; health and well-being, loss and identity, grief and forgiveness, reconciliation and acceptance, stress and stress management, trauma and trauma-conscious care. The conversation circles for participants were given in 3-hour modules x 10 occasions. 1. How did the course leaser perceive the utility of the training for their work with the target group? 2. In what ways has the intervention assisted the participants in navigating their mental and well-being in Sweden? The results showed that course leaders acquired new knowledge and practical skills and tools to lead reflective conversations about mental health related to migration. Participants reported a higher awareness of mental health issues, less stigma, trying out new coping techniques and increased motivation to seek help. Short training courses for civic communicators on migratory mental health increased knowledge and gave new skills and tools to lead conversation circles. Newly settled refugees reported higher awareness, new tools and less stigma to talk about mental health following participation in conversation circles. Key messages • Short training courses on mental health related to migration increased knowledge and gave new skills and tools to lead conversation circles. • Newly settled refugees reported higher awareness, new tools and less stigma to talk about mental health following participation in conversation circles.

Co-creating the intervention ‘MAMAACT’ for improved care for pregnant migrant women in Denmark

Abstract Background The MAMAACT intervention was developed as a response to documentation of ethnic and social inequities in stillbirth in Denmark, despite free and universal access to antenatal care. The MAMAACT intervention aimed to reduce stillbirth in migrant families by improving communication about pregnancy complication during antenatal care. Methods The intervention consisted of a training program for midwives and health education materials. It was implemented at a structural level (training of midwives) and, through strengthened needs-based communication during antenatal care, the aim was to improve the health literacy of the women. 19 of the 20 Danish maternity wards participated in the study in 2018-19 and a comprehensive evaluation was conducted. The intervention was co-created with midwifery managers, midwives, and migrant women. Results The management and selected clinical midwives participated in the design of the midwifery training and the health education material as well as the intervention’s implementation and recruitment strategies for the evaluation. As representatives of the target group, a partnership with the non-profit organization Bydelsmødre was initiated. Bydelsmødre trains migrant mothers living in socially deprived areas to help vulnerable migrant women. Evening sessions were conducted with a specific group of women in their community, where the intervention components, the recruitment to the evaluation, and the interpretation of evaluation findings were discussed. A significant contribution was a video explaining the migrant experiences of becoming a mother in Denmark used in the midwifery training. MAMAACT researchers were invited to present the evaluation at the annual assembly for Bydelsmødre organization in 2019. Conclusions The partnership with Bydelsmødre provided a strong voice for migrant women, enhancing engagement with the intervention, recruitment for the trial, and its real-world relevance.

Factors influencing emigration decisions among Bulgarian health professionals

Abstract Background Migration patterns of health professionals are influenced by a variety of factors, including personal, economic, social, political, and cultural ones. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence the emigration decisions of both Bulgarian health professionals who have been abroad and those without such experience. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 using an online questionnaire among 447 health workers in Bulgaria. The influence of factors on health professionals’ decision to migrate was measured on a 4-point scale (from “no influence” to “very strong influence”). The factors were grouped into three levels - macro (country and health system), meso (health facility) and micro (individual). Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine differences between the two groups of health professionals at a 0.05 significance level. Results At macro level, a higher standard of living in the destination country was the primary factor influencing the emigration decisions of the individuals who have been abroad (n = 109), with a mean value of 3.62 (p < 0.001). Conversely, the opportunity to work in a better-organized health system was the predominant motivator for those without such experience (3.36, p < 0.035). At meso level, remuneration received (3.70, p < 0.001) was the most significant driver for the individuals with a migration background, while better working conditions (3.31, p < 0.006) had the strongest influence for the other group. At micro level, both groups agreed on the importance of enhanced recognition of the medical profession abroad (3.69 vs. 3.49, p < 0.013) as a key determinant. Conclusions On the whole, health professionals with no migration experience exhibited lower mean values for the observed factors. Furthermore, economic drivers appeared to be more significant for respondents with a migration background, while the other group attached greater importance to the motives related to the health system and the profession. Key messages • Health workers migrate for a variety of reasons with economic motives playing a pivotal role in shaping migration decisions. • Recognizing the motives that predominantly impact migration attitudes is a crucial step in the development of appropriate retention policies.

5.Y.1. Refugees and mental health

Abstract Research suggests an elevated risk of mental health conditions (depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety) among refugees, due to exposure to trauma, displacement, and the challenges of adapting to new environments. Children and adolescents with refugee background face additional challenges, including family disruptions, education interruptions, and uncertain futures. However, the data are heterogeneous and more detailed data are needed. To address this gap, we present data on refugee’s mental health and resilience. First, data on resilience and mental health from Germany are presented. These data are adjusted for demographics and suggest that in case data are adjusted to the living situation in the host country the migrant status is less relevant. The second study presents the mental health of refugee adolescents and children in Greece. The third study presents results based on a Portuguese prospective cohort study Perinatal Health in Migrants: Barriers, Incentives, and Outcomes (baMBINO). This study investigates postpartum depression among refugee women in Portugal highlighting the need for access to care. Last, a systematic review and meta-analysis provides data on depression, anxiety and stress of 62,522 refugees from more than 30 countries. This data suggests that life experiences are critical for refugees’ mental health. Based on the presentations the audience will be engaged in discussion on how to better early prevent mental health conditions in refugees. Key messages • Mental health of refugees is a Public Health challenge. • Pre- and post migration experiences impact refugees and migrants mental health conditions.

Językowa kreacja rodziny w polskojęzycznych wypracowaniach uczniów z doświadczeniem migracyjnym

The article presents the linguistic creation of a family reconstructed on the basis of the works of Polish and foreign students from families with migration experience studying in Polish schools in Poland and abroad. In the collected corpus of over 200 works, the young authors created, apart from parents, many other family members, creating images of small and large families functioning in everyday life and during holidays. When creating an image of a family, the young authors used primarily the lexical resources of general Polish, and the analyzed material reflects the joy that comes with writing about family.

Contextualizing the Manifestation of Gendered Colonialist Microaggressions: A Qualitative Study on Post-Colonial Migration Experiences Among Immigrant Women

Over the last decade, the framework of microaggressions has been adopted to examine subtle manifestations of discrimination from the perspective of socially disadvantaged groups. However, the microaggressions literature is strongly U.S.-centered, and very few studies have been conducted in other societal contexts, such as European countries characterized by distinct migration patterns and post-colonial intergroup relations. Moreover, foreign-born immigrant women have been overlooked in microaggression research. The present qualitative study draws upon post-colonial feminist theory and adopts an intracategorical intersectional approach to examine the experiences of foreign-born immigrant women in Portugal. Ten focus groups were conducted with 52 participants ( Mage = 34.2, SD = 10.2). Data were analyzed via a two-step process thematic analysis (TA) approach. First, codebook TA was used to produce nine themes building on previous microaggressions taxonomies. Then, reflexive TA was applied to generate four macro-themes related to post-colonial discourses. As a result, we propose a taxonomy of Gendered Colonialist Microaggressions and a theoretical framework linking these subtle forms of discrimination to social representations of immigrant women, rooted in colonial legacies and systemic power disparities. This study highlights the understudied psychological and societal implications of microaggressions in post-colonial settings, raising new questions and providing directions for future action.

International Nurse Migration Experience of the First Two Years: A Mixed Methods Study.

The aim of this study was to explore experiences of internationally educated nurses' first 2 years working and living in England in an age of contemporary migration. Exploratory mixed method design. An online survey collected responses from August 2022 to October 2022. A mixed-methods approach was applied to gain a breadth of understanding through quantitative outcomes integrated with depth of qualitative analysis. Data findings from 773 international nurses identified the recognition of prior professional skills and experiences, induction processes, career development systems and the role of line managers are integral to professional integration and could be improved. Communication barriers were frequently transient and time limited, and participants often had incomplete insight of human resource policies. Personal factors affecting life outside of work revealed compromise and sacrifice with accommodation choices, and participants were often not satisfied with their economic status, housing, cost of living in England, and social support. Mental well-being scores varied by country of origin and participants happier with decision to migrate to England had significantly higher mental well-being scores. International nurses have divergent professional and personal motivations for migration unique to individual circumstances. Recognition for transferable skills and experience, receipt of a comprehensive and warm welcome from organisations, safe and well-maintained suitable accommodation and living conveniently located to shops, work and transportation, improve experience. International nurses must have sufficient financial gains from salaries and opportunity to unite with children and families. Progressing migration experience of international nurses can improve retention and augment improving patient care and outcomes. No patient or members of public contributed to this research.

Beyond infantilization and adultification: The binary representations of child migrants in the United States and how they harm young migrants

AbstractThe arrival of migrant children at the US–Mexico border has prompted vigorous debates about how to handle their admission and manage their access to resources. Portrayals of child migrants often draw on dominant conventional notions of childhood, creating binary representations that simultaneously infantilize and adultify them. This binary representation either strips children of their agency or criminalizes their actions and denies them protection. This paper exposes the inadequacies of the infantilization and adultification binary to represent and understand the experiences of child migrants, particularly youth who immigrate as teenagers, through a transdisciplinary approach. Integrating original historical analysis via archival research with contemporary social scientific analysis from qualitative research, this paper examines the longstanding binary representations of migrant children and their harmful impacts. The historical analysis shows that infantilization and adultification have defined the US response to child migrants since the mid‐1960s. Making connections to the present, through the stories of two unaccompanied teenage arrivals, we show how the binary is experienced and how Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) reflects and reinforces the binary. The paper also highlights how young people, who do not fit neatly into the binary, come to subjectively feel adult, elucidating the need for an alternative narrative that embraces child migrants' agency and advocates for support and protection for all youth.