Second-generation Immigrants In Sweden Research Articles

Adolescent alcohol and illicit drug use among first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden

This article compares adolescent alcohol and illicit drug use among first- and second-generation immigrants from Nordic, non-Nordic European and non-European countries with that of the native Swedish majority population. Using data from a 2005 survey, multilevel logistic regression analysis was performed on a sample of 13,070 adolescents. The survey was conducted in three Swedish regions containing 24 municipalities. Second-generation immigrants from Nordic countries were more likely to use alcohol and to binge drink, while first generation immigrants from non-European countries were less likely to; this difference is mainly explained by the relatively low use by girls from non-European countries. All immigrant groups were more likely to use illicit drugs than were the majority population. The highest drug use was found among first-generation Nordic immigrants and non-European immigrants. Consumption patterns among second-generation immigrants were more similar to those of the Swedish majority population, implying more alcohol use and less illicit drug use. Preventive policy for alcohol use should target Nordic immigrants in Sweden (second generation), while preventive policy for drug use, which is a more general immigrant phenomena, should mostly target both Nordic and non-European immigrants.

Risks of rheumatic diseases in first‐ and second‐generation immigrants in Sweden: A nationwide followup study

To examine whether there is an association between country of birth in first-generation immigrants and first hospitalization for a rheumatic disease, and to study whether any such association remains in second-generation immigrants. In this followup study, the Swedish MigMed database at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm was used to identify all primary hospital diagnoses of rheumatic diseases in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden between January 1, 1964 and December 31, 2004. Incidence ratios, standardized with regard to age, geographic region, and socioeconomic status, were estimated by sex in first- and second-generation immigrants. First-generation immigrants from Iraq had a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis than did subjects in the native-born Swede reference group, and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus was increased in immigrants from Iraq and Africa; these raised risks persisted in the second generation. The lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis in some first-generation immigrants disappeared in the second generation. In groups of second-generation immigrants, the risk of ankylosing spondylitis was similar to the risk in the corresponding parental groups. Polish-born immigrants and second-generation Yugoslavs and Russians showed a significantly increased risk of systemic sclerosis. The raised risk of systemic sclerosis did not persist in the second generation, but was clustered in groups involved in certain blue collar occupations. Country of birth affected the risk of rheumatic disease. These findings indicate that both genetic and environmental factors are involved in the etiology of specific rheumatic diseases.

Early labour-market experiences of second-generation immigrants in Sweden

This article investigates second generation immigrant's early labour-market performances in Sweden. To study their labour-market success we estimate dynamic transition rate models–Cox type proportional hazards, in a competing risk framework using register based panel-data set. Our results reveal that parental resources affect not only second-generation immigrants’ continuing education but also their later labour-market success. The study verifies that finding a job is difficult for second-generation immigrants and the significant unobserved-heterogeneity parameter estimate may indicate discrimination. As a whole, second-generation immigrants have worse labour-market performances compared to their native-born counterparts.

Income Gap between Natives and Second Generation Immigrants in Sweden: Is Skill the Explanation?

This is the first study to use an achievement test score to analyze whether the income gap between second-generation immigrants and natives is caused by a skill gap rather than ethnic discrimination. Since, in principle, every male Swedish citizen takes the test when turning 18, we are able to bring more evidence to bear on the matter by estimating the income gap for a very large sample of individuals who are of the same age and have the same years of schooling at the test date. Once the result of the Swedish Military Enlistment Test is controlled for, the income gap almost disappears for second generation immigrants with both parents born in Southern Europe or outside Europe. However, when using a regular set of control variables the income gap becomes overestimated. This difference in results is most likely explained by the fact that schooling is a bad measure of productive skills for these groups of second-generation immigrants. It indicates that they compensate for their lower probability of being employed by investing in (in relation to their skill level) more schooling than otherwise similar natives.

Parental Income and Continuing Education of Second Generation Immigrants in Sweden

Understanding the economic integration of minority ethnic communities requires an analysis of the educational process. This paper examines second‐generation immigrant youths’ educational attainments in comparison with those of similarly aged native Swedes. Binomial‐logit, grouped‐regression and multinomial‐logit models are applied to longitudinal data, 1991–1996. The results give evidence for socioeconomic determinants of post‐compulsory education and for parental influence on educational choices. Parental income affects second‐generation immigrants’ post‐compulsory education and Swedes’ choice of level of education. In general, the stronger the labour market positions of the parents, the higher the probability of the children continuing education. It is also found that the geographical origin of second‐generation immigrants matter, with youths of Asian origin having a higher probability of continuing their education. We suggest policy changes on different levels based on the evidence of the paper, as short‐run, long‐run and in general.

Coronary heart disease risks in first‐ and second‐generation immigrants in Sweden: a follow‐up study

To analyse whether there is an association between country of birth in first-generation immigrants and first hospitalization for or death from coronary heart disease (CHD) and to analyse whether this association remains in second-generation immigrants. In this follow-up study, the MigMed database at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, was used to identify all hospital diagnoses of and deaths from incident CHD in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden between 1 January 1987 and 31 December 2001. Incidence ratios standardized by age, geographical region and socio-economic status were estimated by sex in first- and second-generation immigrants; the reference group was Swedish-born people whose parents were both born in Sweden. The total Swedish population aged 25-69 years. First-generation immigrants from Finland, central European countries, other eastern European countries and Turkey had higher rates of CHD than men or women in the reference group. First-generation immigrant women born in southern Europe, other western European countries and Baltic countries had lower CHD risks than the reference group. Sons of both male and female first-generation immigrants showed CHD risks similar to or slightly higher than those of their parents. Amongst second-generation women, only subjects with Finnish fathers or mothers had higher risks of developing CHD than the reference. Increased risks of CHD found in some first-generation immigrant groups often persist in second-generation immigrant men. Healthcare professionals and policy makers should take this into account when designing and undertaking measures to prevent CHD.

Intergenerational Mobility, Human Capital Transmission and the Earnings of Second-Generation Immigrants in Sweden

Intergenerational mobility, human capital transmission and the earnings of second generation immigrants in Sweden

Incidence of Mental Disorders in Second-Generation Immigrants in Sweden: A Four-Year Cohort Study

Background Few studies have investigated mental health among second-generation immigrants who have reached adulthood. The aim of this study was to examine whether second-generation adult immigrants have a higher risk of being hospitalised for mental disorders than the Swedish majority population after adjustment for socio-economic status. Methods In total 1.9 million Swedish-born women and men aged 16–34 were followed from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 1998 for first hospital admissions for mental disorders, categorised in four main diagnosis groups. Second-generation immigrants comprised four groups and the Swedish majority population was used as reference group. Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyse the data. Results Second-generation immigrants with one parent born in Sweden and second-generation Finns had higher risks of being hospitalised for psychotic disorders, affective disorders, neurotic disorders, and personality disorders than the Swedish majority population. For second-generation Finns the age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio for psychotic disorders was 2.42 (CI = 2.09–2.80). No significant hazard ratios were found for second-generation labour immigrants. For second-generation refugees the risk of being hospitalised was higher than for the Swedish majority population but only for psychotic disorders. All results remained significant and decreased only slightly after adjustment for income and education. Conclusions Many groups of second-generation immigrants have a higher risk of being hospitalised for mental disorder than the majority population. With increasing global migration it is crucial for all industrialised countries to take measures to improve mental health among second-generation immigrants.

Illicit drug abuse in second-generation immigrants: a register study in a national cohort of Swedish residents.

This study investigates ethnic and socioeconomic risk factors for hospital admissions related to illicit drug abuse in second-generation immigrants in Sweden. Cox analyses of proportional hazards were used to estimate the relative risk of sociodemographic covariates in analyses of register data on hospital admissions because of illicit drug abuse during 1990-99. The study population was a national cohort of 1.25 million residents (aged 10-30 years). Second-generation immigrants had two- to three fold higher age and sex-adjusted relative risks (RRs) for hospital admissions because of illicit drug use compared with the Swedish majority population with a limited variation between different ethnic groups. The RRs decreased greatly after the model was adjusted for socioeconomic indicators of the childhood household. Inter-country adoptees had the highest risk for hospital admission related to illicit drug abuse of all study groups after adjustment for sociodemographic variables (RR 2.8). Second-generation immigrants are at particular risk for illicit drug abuse in Sweden. Adverse socioeconomic living conditions are very important in explaining this high risk.

Unemployment and earnings for second generation immigrants in Sweden. Ethnic background and parent composition

This study sheds light on the labour market outcomes of children born to immigrants in the destination country, i.e. second generation immigrants. The study has the advantage of being able to (i) identify several different ethnic backgrounds and (ii) identify the parent composition, i.e. whether one or both parents of the individual are foreign born. The labour market outcomes of second generation immigrants mirror those of first generation immigrants in that we find heterogeneity in labour market outcomes to be associated with ethnic background. Moreover, these outcomes, especially for Southern and non-European backgrounds, are much worse than those for native-born with a Swedish background. Finally, the outcome is more favourable if one parent is born in Sweden compared to having both parents foreign born, especially if the mother is native born.