Journal of Happiness Studies
Volume 17, Issue 4, 2016, Pages 1659-1680

Life Satisfaction Among Recent Immigrants in Canada: Comparisons to Source-Country and Host-Country Populations (Article)

Frank K.* , Hou F. , Schellenberg G.
  • a Social Analysis and Modelling Division, Statistics Canada, R.H. Coats Building, 24th Floor, 100 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, Ottawa, ON K4P 1M6, Canada
  • b Social Analysis and Modelling Division, Statistics Canada, R.H. Coats Building, 24th Floor, 100 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, Ottawa, ON K4P 1M6, Canada
  • c Social Analysis and Modelling Division, Statistics Canada, R.H. Coats Building, 24th Floor, 100 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, Ottawa, ON K4P 1M6, Canada

Abstract

Research examining how changes in life circumstances affect subjective well-being has been dominated by set-point theory. New evidence challenges the assumptions of this theory, indicating that major life events can result in lasting changes to individuals’ life satisfaction. This study examines whether changes in national-level conditions following migration affect the life satisfaction of immigrant groups from different source countries by comparing the average life satisfaction levels of immigrant groups to that of non-emigrants in their source countries. Life satisfaction differences between immigrant groups and the native-born population in Canada are also examined. Results show that migration to a country with improved national-level conditions increases immigrants’ life satisfaction. Most immigrant groups had higher life satisfaction than their source-country counterparts and life satisfaction scores were similar to those of the native-born population. These findings persist when the sample includes immigrants who have resided in Canada for up to 20 years. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Author Keywords

Life satisfaction immigrants Set-point theory Canada Subjective well-being

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84939233212&doi=10.1007%2fs10902-015-9664-2&partnerID=40&md5=2a96ff6cb0e5d09b5604a55f38856e82
DOI: 10.1007/s10902-015-9664-2
ISSN: 13894978
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English