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The Relationships Between Migration, Social Support, and Social Integration on Quality of Life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2012

E. Foroughi ,
R. Misajon  and
R.A. Cummins
E. Foroughi
Affiliation:
Deakin University
R. Misajon*
Affiliation:
Deakin University
R.A. Cummins
Affiliation:
Deakin University
*
*Address for correspondence: RoseAnne Misajon, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood VIC 3125, Australia.
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Abstract

Past research indicates that humans have a remarkable ability to maintain normal levels of subjective wellbeing despite adverse objective circumstances. This suggests that such wellbeing may be held under homeostatic control. This paper investigates some of the potential factors that may contribute to this homeostatic mechanism, in response to the major life event of migration. Three groups were examined: Persian immigrants to Australia (Persian-Australians), non-Persian Australians, and Persians residing in Iran. A total of 330 subjects were recruited. A notable finding was that all three groups did not differ in regard to subjective wellbeing, despite the Persian-Australians being a minority ethnic group in Australia, and the Persians having significantly lower objective life quality. The Persian-Australians who migrated at an older age reported lower subjective quality of life, while the number of years of residence in Australia did not appear to be related to the extent of social integration. Subjective life quality was, however, related to subjective social support for the Australian and Persian samples, and to reciprocality of support for the Persian-Australians.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 18 , Issue 3 , 01 September 2001 , pp. 156 - 167
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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