Second-generation Migrants Research Articles

Trends in social exposure to SARS-Cov-2 in France. Evidence from the national socio-epidemiological cohort-EPICOV.

We aimed to study whether social patterns of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection changed in France throughout the year 2020, in light to the easing of social contact restrictions. A population-based cohort of individuals aged 15 years or over was randomly selected from the national tax register to collect socio-economic data, migration history, and living conditions in May and November 2020. Home self-sampling on dried blood was proposed to a 10% random subsample in May and to all in November. A positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA IgG result against the virus spike protein (ELISA-S) was the primary outcome. The design, including sampling and post-stratification weights, was taken into account in univariate and multivariate analyses. Of the 134,391 participants in May, 107,759 completed the second questionnaire in November, and respectively 12,114 and 63,524 were tested. The national ELISA-S seroprevalence was 4.5% [95%CI: 4.0%-5.1%] in May and 6.2% [5.9%-6.6%] in November. It increased markedly in 18-24-year-old population from 4.8% to 10.0%, and among second-generation immigrants from outside Europe from 5.9% to 14.4%. This group remained strongly associated with seropositivity in November, after controlling for any contextual or individual variables, with an adjusted OR of 2.1 [1.7-2.7], compared to the majority population. In both periods, seroprevalence remained higher in healthcare professions than in other occupations. The risk of Covid-19 infection increased among young people and second-generation migrants between the first and second epidemic waves, in a context of less strict social restrictions, which seems to have reinforced territorialized socialization among peers.

Cultural Identity in Bicultural Young Adults in Ireland: A Social Representation Theory Approach

This research investigates the nature by which first- and second-generation Irish young adults of (1) African descent, (2) Asian descent, and (3) Eastern European descent explore their cultural identity(ies) through communicating and interpreting social representations relating to their ethnic and national cultures. Using Social Representation Theory (SRT) and, more widely, Proculturation Theory as the theoretical underpinning, we examine how grown children of migrants construct their cultural identity(ies) by exploring external social representations. We conducted three separate in-depth focus groups for each continental group in virtual rooms on Zoom, lasting between 60 and 90 mins. A thematic analysis was pursued to understand how the participants discussed the representation of their cultural groups both in social and media-driven situations. The results indicated the overarching themes of Anchoring Irishness and Latent Media Representation, whereby participants communicated and dialogically explored their subjective interpretations of the social representations of their cultural groups which, in turn, may have informed their cultural identity(ies). Highlighting the dynamic nature of the cultural reality of Ireland and how it impacts generations after the initial migration period, this research highlights and exemplifies the importance of external social representations that serve to construct the multiple cultural identities of first- and second-generation migrants.

Counselling for prenatal anomaly screening to migrant women in the Netherlands: An interview study of primary care midwives' perceived barriers with client-midwife communication.

INTRODUCTIONLarge ethnic inequalities exist in the prenatal screening offer, counselling, informed decision-making, and uptake of prenatal anomaly tests. More insight into midwives’ experiences with offering prenatal counselling to migrant women may provide better insight into the origins and consequences of these ethnic inequalities.METHODSWe conducted interviews with 12 midwives certified as counsellors for prenatal anomaly screening for women they identified as migrants. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.RESULTSMidwives reported most difficulties in communicating with women of ‘non-western migrant background’, which include first- and second-generation migrants from Africa, Latin-America, Asia, and Turkey. They experienced barriers in communication related to linguistics, health literacy, sociocultural and religious differences, with midwife stereotyping affecting all three aspects of counselling: health education, decision-making support, and the client–midwife relation. Health education was difficult because of language barriers and low health-literacy of clients, decision-making support was hampered by sociocultural and religious midwife–client differences, and client–midwife relations were under pressure due to sociocultural and religious midwife–client differences and midwife stereotyping.CONCLUSIONSBarriers to optimal communication seem to contribute to suboptimal counselling, especially for women of ‘non-western migrant background’. Client–midwife communication thus potentially adds to the ethnic disparities observed in the offer of and informed decision-making about prenatal anomaly screening in the Netherlands. The quality of prenatal counselling for women from all ethnic backgrounds might be improved by addressing linguistic, health literacy, sociocultural and religious barriers in future training and continuing education of prenatal counsellors.

Low-quality employment trajectories and the risk of common mental health disorders among individuals with Swedish and foreign background - a register-based cohort study.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the effects of low-quality employment trajectories on severe common mental disorders (CMD) according to Swedish and foreign background.MethodsIn this longitudinal study based on Swedish population registries (N=2 703 687), low- and high-quality employment trajectories were the main exposures observed across five years (2005–2009), with severe CMD as outcome variable (2010–2017). Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were calculated by means of Cox regression models and stratified according to Swedish and foreign background [first-generation (i) EU migrants, (ii) non-EU migrants, (iii) second-generation migrants, (iv) Swedish-born of Swedish background] and sex. The reference group was Swedish-born of Swedish background in a constant high-quality employment trajectory.ResultsSecond-generation migrants had an increased risk of CMD compared to Swedish-born of Swedish background when following low-quality employment trajectories [eg, male in constant low-quality HR 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41–1.68]. Female migrant workers, especially first-generation from non-EU countries in low-quality employment trajectories (eg, constant low-quality HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.46–1.88), had a higher risk of CMD compared to female Swedish-born of Swedish background. The risk for CMD according to employment trajectories showed little differences between first- and second-generation migrants.ConclusionLow-quality employment trajectories appear to be determinants of risk for CMD in association with Swedish or foreign background of origin and sex. Our study shows a higher risk for severe CMD in second-generation and non-EU migrant compared to Swedish-born of Swedish background in constant low-quality employment. Further qualitative research is recommended to understand the mechanism behind the differential mental health impact of low-quality employment trajectories according to foreign background.

Multidimensionality in the Integration of First- and Second-Generation Migrants in Europe: A Conceptual and Empirical Investigation

Immigrant integration scholarship increasingly discusses integration as a multidimensional process. Yet there is considerable inconsistency in how that multidimensionality is conceptualized. This article posits that there are two different logical approaches by which multidimensional frameworks of integration tend to outline their dimensions: the “thematic” (or conceptually driven) approach and the “empirical” approach. We contend that these two approaches lead to differently structured multidimensional frameworks of immigrant integration. To demonstrate these points, we, first, review different conceptualizations and approaches to multidimensionality in prior immigrant integration research, focusing largely on Europe. Through a synthesis of these prior approaches, we outline eight thematic dimensions of integration prevalent in the existing literature. Second, we conduct an original study with cross-European data on first- and second-generation migrants (ESS7 2014-15, N = 1,066) to outline a multidimensional framework based on empirical patterns of co-variation (or distinction) among integration-related outcomes. Our factor analysis of 18 common indicators of integration reveals five main dimensions of integration, with some items relating strongly to more than one dimension. These five “empirical” dimensions (economic/structural integration; health; subjective well-being; cultural assimilation and civic/political integration; and minority socialization) differ from the eight typical “thematic” dimensions identified in existing scholarship in key respects, which we discuss alongside potential connections between integration aspects as suggested by our findings (e.g., between economic and civic/political or between civic/political and cultural aspects). Overall, our article advances migration studies by helping us think more critically about the multidimensionality of immigrant integration and contributes to an emerging literature on integration's multidimensionality.

Hybridized Surviving: The Diaspora Narratives of Joseph, Esther, and Daniel

There are a number of challenges faced by diasporic people, yet they all seem to be connected to one major issue: “identity”. Their narratives are built on questions surrounding who they are, when they are no longer living in/on their home/land. As they migrate to foreign lands, their notions of identity become clouded, and quite often they struggle to “belong”. Second-generation people could be heard asking: “Where do we belong?” “The lands our parents came from?” “Or the lands we now live?” “Is it both? Or is it neither?” “Do we even know who we are? How do we fit in? How do we survive?” The aim of this essay is to highlight the issue of diasporic identity in the narratives of three biblical migrants: Joseph, Esther, and Daniel. The purposes of these biblical accounts seem to reflect the ambivalence of diasporic existence, where they can achieve success but also experience adversity. Yet these narratives also deal with how identity is problematized in diasporic contexts. I will be engaging these narratives in conversation with my own story, in a bid to view alternative understandings and constructs of diasporic existence, particularly for second-generation migrants within religious communities. Furthermore, the hope is that a re-reading of these narratives may generate alternative theological considerations in light of the struggles of second-generation migrants.

The Making of the Licitness of Right-Wing Rhetoric: A Case Study of Digital Media in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the challenges of the multicultural society are high on the political agenda. At present 24.4% of the Dutch population has an immigration background of which 13.9% has a non-western migration background and almost 50% of all the people with a migration background are second-generation migrants born in the Netherlands. However, today’s Dutch multicultural society is associated with a complex range of challenges linked with cultural and religious diversity. This article investigates how news media in the Netherlands facilitated the making of the licitness of xenophobic rhetoric of the two main Dutch populist right-wing parties Partij voor de Vrijheid (PVV) and Forum voor Democratie (FvD) during the Provincial Elections in March 2019. I conclude that these rising political extremist movements dominate the immigration debate and are accountable for the making of the licit social resentment against particularly non-western immigrants.

Association between migration status and subsequent labour market marginalisation among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder: a Swedish nationwide register-based cohort study

PurposeThe high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among migrants in Europe is widely reported. Our research aimed to investigate the association between migration status and subsequent labour market marginalisation (LMM) events, i.e., long-term unemployment (LTU), long-term sickness absence (LTSA), and disability pension (DP) among individuals with PTSD, and to elucidate how the sociodemographic factors and the pre-existing health conditions influence such association.MethodsWe established a cohort of 36,714 individuals born between 1960 and 1995, living in Sweden during 2004–2009, aged 19 years or above, with PTSD diagnosis during 2006–2009. Migration status, categorized as refugees, non-refugees, second-generation migrants, and Swedish-born with Swedish-born parents (reference group) was considered as exposure and LMM events as outcome. The cohort was followed from 01-Jan-2010 until LMM, death, or end of follow-up (31-Dec-2016). Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by Cox regression with a seven-year follow-up.ResultsRefugees (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.86–2.30), and non-refugees (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.85–2.07) had almost doubled relative risk of long-term unemployment, compared with the Swedish-born. The hazards of long-term sickness absence were similar across the groups. Refugees (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.24–1.77), and non-refugees (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.30–1.56) also had elevated relative risk of disability pension, whereas second-generation migrants had moderately increased relative risks for all three labour market marginalisation events compared with the Swedish-born.ConclusionAmong the individuals with PTSD, being a migrant increases the risk of LMM, refugees being the foremost among migrants. Further research may benefit from including more recent migrant population, pre-migration information and measuring PTSD clinical severity.

Do informal Networks Increase Migrants’ Over-Education? Comparing Over-Education for Natives, Migrants and Second Generations in Italy and Assessing the Role of Networks in Generating It

Whilst migration has become a structural feature of most European countries, the integration of foreigners in the labour market continues to raise concerns. Evidence across countries shows that migrants are more often over-educated than natives. Over the last few years, scholarship has intended to capture the effect of informal networks on migrants’ over-education. Interestingly, no study has looked into the Italian case, a country for which the effect of networks on education-occupation mismatch is well documented. This article has two objectives: it assesses the extent to which over-education affects migrants and it evaluates the role informal networks play in producing it. We find that migrants have a higher probability of being over-educated than natives and second-generation migrants. Likewise, we find little evidence of a differentiated effect of networks as they tend to increase migrants’ over-education whilst decreasing it for natives and second-generation migrants. Empirical evidence is drawn from the application of causal inference modelling to PLUS 2018—Participation, Labour, Unemployment Survey.

The Effect of Migration on Political Support for Co-ethnics: Evidence From Turkey

In recent years, a record number of people have been forcibly displaced or migrated due to conflict. Whilst established political science research suggests that displaced communities are an added risk factor for conflict due to their support for extreme co-ethnic political parties and movements, this has been challenged by recent research which shows that migrants can be a moderating force. We offer a potential reconciliation of these divergent findings by distinguishing between first- and second-generation migrants. Due to their relative lack of conflict exposure, second-generation migrants will have significantly less support for co-ethnic political parties than first-generation migrants and those who remain. We test our argument using granular survey data comparing Kurds who migrated out of the conflict zone in Turkey with those who remained. The results support our theoretical framework and have important implications for our understanding of migrant attitudes and the long-term effects of conflict exposure.

The role of migration status in the link between ADL/IADL and informal as well as formal care in Germany: Findings of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to clarify the role of migration status in the link between ADL/IADL and formal as well as informal home care in Germany. MethodsCross-sectional data (wave 5 and wave 6) were used from the representative Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. The analysis focused on Germany (n = 5717). Migration status was quantified as no migration background and migration background, including first-generation migrants and second-generation migrants. ADL and IADL were quantified by well-established disability scales. The type of care was categorized as formal care received at home, informal care from someone inside the household and informal care from someone outside the household. ResultsRegressions showed that impairments in ADL/IADL are significantly linked with an increased likelihood of receipt of formal and informal care. This applies to all respondents regardless of their migration background. However, the analysis could not demonstrate a significant moderating effect of the migration status on the link between impairments in ADL/IADL and the use of care. ConclusionStudy findings showed that impairments in ADL/IADL were significantly linked with the use of formal and informal home care in Germany. We found no evidence that the migration status of the respondents moderates this association suggesting comparable formal and informal home care provision for migrants and non-migrants. Future studies should examine whether this also applies for other areas of care and to what extent, in addition to migration status, the timing of migration and language skills influence care utilization.

The social gradient in COVID-19 vaccination intentions and the role of solidarity beliefs among adolescents

BackgroundVaccines against COVID-19 play a prominent role in the policies enacted to combat the pandemic. However, vaccination rates are lowest among adolescents and young adults. Therefore, research on younger individuals is needed to provide a deeper understanding of social disparities and the motives behind vaccination intentions. MethodsThis study draws on a sample (N = 4079) of German high school students and graduates. Based on cross-sectional data from March to July 2021 and linear regression models, which are conditioned on personality, risk preferences, and trust, the study analyses social disparities (i.e., gender, parental education and migration background) in vaccination intentions. ResultsWe do not find heterogeneity by gender. Individuals with low-educated parents and a migration background indicate below-average levels of vaccination intention. Differences in solidarity beliefs entirely explain the heterogeneity between individuals with low-educated parents and those with high-educated parents. While differences in beliefs explain a substantial part of the heterogeneity in vaccination intentions, cultural and monetary resources also constitute an important source of difference in vaccination intentions between individuals with and without a migration background. These results are important because our data indicate higher infection risks among individuals with a migration and low education background. Additionally, individuals from lower social origins and with migration backgrounds report higher levels of perceived burdens associated with COVID-19-related policies. The migration results differ between first- and second-generation migrants and by region of origin. ConclusionPolarization in solidarity explains social gradients in vaccination intention. A solidarity narrative may not motivate a significant share of young individuals to be vaccinated.

A Tale of Integration? The Migrant Wealth Gap in Austria

We investigate how previous generations of migrants and their children integrated into Austrian society, as measured by their wealth ownership. Using individual-level data from the Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS), we document (1) a positive average migrant wealth gap between migrants and natives—that is, migrants owning less wealth than natives, especially in the upper half of the distribution, (2) substantial within-group inequality for migrants, and (3) evidence for catch-up, since second-generation migrants are much more similar to natives in terms of wealth and socio-economic characteristics than first-generation migrants. Using a RIF regression, we confirm an economically significant migrant wealth gap for first-generation migrants after controlling for socio-economic characteristics especially for the upper middle of the distribution, where housing wealth is a particularly relevant asset category. Second-generation migrants’ wealth gap is fully explained by our covariates in the middle of the distribution, whereas at the top where business wealth is more salient, their characteristics predict them to have higher wealth than natives. Decomposing the partial effects of covariates suggests that inheritances have the highest explanatory power for the migrant wealth gap of both first- and second-generation migrants, further buttressing the case for progressive integration in terms of wealth, while the composition of the migrant population, and in particular migrants’ heritage may continue to play a role in their wealth ownership.

PISA Achievement in Sweden From the Perspective of Both Individual Data and Aggregated Cross-Country Data

This study set out to analyze Swedish 15-year-olds’ PISA performance in 2015 and to lesser extent 2018 by using a combination of individual data (2015) and aggregated cross-country data for 2015 and 2018, inclusive of 31 OECD countries. At the within-country and individual level, native Swedish students who took the PISA test in 2015 outperformed first- and second-generation migrants. Moreover, the latent socioeconomic variable “number of books at home” was associated with higher PISA math achievement. Ambition was positively associated with PISA math scores, wheres worry was negatively associated with PISA math. At the cross-country level, GDP per capita was associated with higher PISA scores but ethnic homogeneity was not. IQ scores, PIAAC scores for teachers, and teacher salaries were also moderately correlated with PISA math achievement. This indicates that a country with high cognitive ability levels, as well as cognitively competent and well-paid teachers are likely to perform better in large-scale international assessments such as PISA.

Medical rehabilitation of older employees with migrant background in Germany: Does the utilization meet the needs?

Due to demographic change with an ageing workforce, the proportion of employees with poor health and a need for medical rehabilitation is increasing. The aim was to investigate if older employees with migrant background have a different need for and utilization of medical rehabilitation than employees without migrant background. To investigate this, self-reported data from older German employees born in 1959 or 1965 of the first and second study wave of the lidA cohort study were exploratory analyzed (n = 3897). Subgroups of employees with migrant background were separated as first-generation, which had either German or foreign nationality, and second-generation vs. the rest as non-migrants. All subgroups were examined for their need for and utilization of medical rehabilitation with descriptive and bivariate statistics (chi-square, F- and post-hoc tests). Furthermore, multiple logistic regressions and average marginal effects were calculated for each migrant group separately to assess the effect of need for utilization of rehabilitation. According to our operationalizations, the foreign and German first-generation migrants had the highest need for medical rehabilitation while the German first- and second-generation migrants had the highest utilization in the bivariate analysis. However, the multiple logistic model showed significant positive associations between their needs and utilization of rehabilitation for all subgroups. Further in-depth analysis of the need showed that something like under- and oversupply co-exist in migrant groups, while the foreign first-generation migrants with lower need were the only ones without rehabilitation usage. However, undersupply exists in all groups independent of migrant status. Concluding, all subgroups showed suitable use of rehabilitation according to their needs at first sight. Nevertheless, the utilization does not appear to have met all needs, and therefore, the need-oriented utilization of rehabilitation should be increased among all employees, e.g. by providing more information, removing barriers or identifying official need with uniform standards.

Long-acting reversible contraception and satisfaction with structured contraceptive counselling among non-migrant, foreign-born migrant and second-generation migrant women: evidence from a cluster randomised controlled trial (the LOWE trial) in Sweden

ObjectiveThis trial aimed to evaluate effects of structured contraceptive counselling among non-migrants, foreign-born migrants and second-generation migrants.MethodsA cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted in 2017–2019 at abortion, youth and maternal...

Migration and Sexual Health Services Use – Results from the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD)

IntroductionMigration background is an important predisposing characteristic of health service use (HSU). In this cross-sectional survey, we aim to explore the association between migration background and HSU in the context of sexual health.MethodsIn a population-representative sample of 4,955 persons from all German federal states (data collection 2018/2019), we examined the HSU of first-generation (15.9% of the total sample) and second-generation migrants (9.8%) compared to non-migrants (74.3%). Outcomes of sexual HSU ranged from primary and secondary prevention measures such as human papillomaviruses (HPV) vaccination and chlamydia test to HSU due to sexual problems in the relationship, and consultations on contraceptives, and HIV or other STIs.ResultsGenerally, first-generation migrants used sexual health services less often than non-migrants. Notably, first-generation migrant women had lower odds of being vaccinated against HPV (OR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.14; 0.38), of a lifetime use of both a chlamydia test in the context of a screening program for young women (OR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.11; 0.39), and a HSU due to contraceptives (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.28; 0.58). Second-generation migrants resembled more closely the non-migrants, only showing differences regarding the use of the HPV vaccination (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.30; 0.76).Policy ImplicationsFirst-generation migrants showed remarkable differences in the HSU compared to non-migrants. Therefore, this group should be targeted with the aim of a more equitable HSU that is mainly based on the needs for health services and not restricted due to formal or informal barriers. Both migration generations had lower odds of being vaccinated against HPV indicating the need for a better education regarding the benefits and risks of vaccinations.

Identity Development and Maladaptive Personality Traits in Young Refugees and First- and Second-Generation Migrants.

Refugees are often exposed to a variety of stressors and traumatic events, posing a significant risk for the development of mental disorders. Young refugees may be particularly at risk because adverse life events affect identity formation, a developmental task that is typically expected in adolescence and emerging adulthood. Trauma and cultural changes may alter identity development, potentially leading to identity diffusion, a core concept of personality disorders. However, previous research on personality pathology among refugees is scarce. In this study, we examine identity development and maladaptive personality traits in young refugees and migrants. Refugees from 22 countries of origin were recruited in a German reception center (n = 120) and a group of adults with a migration background in first- or second generation was obtained via web-based recruitment (n = 281). Identity development was measured using the Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence – Short Form. Maladaptive personality traits were assessed with the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Brief Form. Group differences between refugees and migrants regarding identity development and trait expression were investigated using t-tests. The relationship between the two measures and their corresponding subscales was examined by means of correlation analyses. Refugees reported significantly higher levels of identity diffusion, negative affectivity, detachment, antagonism, and disinhibition compared to migrants. No significant differences were found for psychoticism. Correlation analyses revealed low to moderate positive associations between identity diffusion and maladaptive trait expression. Possible implications for early phase of resettlement, preventive psychiatric care and further research questions are discussed.

Migrants' Social Integration and Its Relevance for National Identification: An Empirical Comparison Across Three Social Spheres.

A key element of migrants’ well-being is their emotional integration, that is, the extent to which they perceive themselves as members of society and their identification with the country they are living in. To foster this sense of belonging, many integration programs aim to increase the migrants’ social integration, for example, by organizing events for migrants to meet natives in various settings. The validity of this strategy is supported by decades of international research. It remains unclear, however, which aspects of social integration are most relevant for national identification. Multiple theories concerned with contact and group identification support the assumption that contact to natives should foster a sense of belonging and national identification. However, for a contact situation to bear this potential, a certain set of criteria, including aspects like direct personal contact, a similar social status, and the presence of egalitarian norms, needs to be fulfilled. It is expected that these characteristics are more likely to be fulfilled within family and friendship settings than in contact situations within the employment context. Hence, I expect contact to natives within the network of friends and family to be more greatly associated with migrants’ national identification. I analyzed data from a 2013 cooperation between the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) and the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), that is, the IAB-SOEP Migration Sample, as well as the 2014 wave of the SOEP. The subsample used included 2,780 first- and second-generation migrants living in Germany. The results indicate that not all kinds of contact are equally linked to national identification. In contrast to expectations, in neither the cross-sectional models nor the lagged models was living together with native family members significantly linked to national identification. Similarly, the association between having predominantly native co-workers and national identification was insignificant when controlling for migrant-specific characteristics. Only the relation with having predominantly native friends was significant and positive across all models. This as well as a comparison of the associations lead to the conclusion that when it comes to migrants’ national identification native friends might be the most relevant form of contact to natives.

Culture and Financial Market Participation: Comparing the Second Generation of Migrants from EU Countries and East Europe

Culture and Financial Market Participation: Comparing the Second Generation of Migrants from EU Countries and East Europe