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Selective international migration by social position, health behaviour and personality
Karri Silventoinen1, Niklas Hammar, Ebba Hedlund
1Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. karri.silventoinen@helsinki.fi
European Journal of Public Health
|June 16, 2007
Summary
International migrants are self-selected based on psychological, social, and health behaviors. These factors, including dissatisfaction and substance use, may impact migrant health outcomes and require recognition in healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Migration Studies
Background:
- International migration is a significant demographic phenomenon.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the self-selection processes of migrants.
- This study investigates pre-migration psycho-social and health behaviors of international migrants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze differences in psycho-social and health behavioral factors between international migrants and non-migrants before migration.
- To identify pre-migration predictors of migration in a large cohort of Finnish twins.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a large cohort of Finnish twins established via a 1975 questionnaire (N=26,555).
- Follow-up data on migration and mortality obtained from population registries (Finland and Sweden) until March 2002.
- A 1998 questionnaire surveyed Finnish twins migrated to Sweden and their co-twins (N=1,534).
- Statistical analysis employed Cox and conditional logistic regression models.
Main Results:
- Pre-migration life dissatisfaction, increased alcohol consumption, and smoking predicted future migration.
- In men, unemployment, neuroticism, and extroversion were additional migration predictors.
- Analysis of discordant twin pairs showed similar associations for alcohol use (men) and smoking (men and women).
- Migrated twins retrospectively reported lower life satisfaction, and dissatisfaction with education or job compared to their co-twins.
Conclusions:
- Migrants exhibit self-selection based on health behaviors and personality traits.
- These pre-migration factors may negatively influence migrant health.
- Healthcare providers should acknowledge the unique needs of migrants, considering these self-selection factors.
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