Have We Been Measuring Migrant Wellbeing all Wrong? Conceptualizing Migrant Wellbeing: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Psychology

Background:

• Wellbeing is a crucial concept for quality of life, particularly for migrants facing unique challenges.
• Existing definitions and measurements of wellbeing lack universal standardization.
• Migrants from low/middle-income countries moving to higher-income nations experience specific impacts on their wellbeing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the conceptualization, definition, and measurement of wellbeing among migrants.
• To identify existing tools and assess their suitability for measuring migrant wellbeing.
• To highlight gaps in current research and inform future interventions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across four databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO).
• Independent screening of articles by two researchers.
• Narrative synthesis and analysis using the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist.

Main Results:

• 126 articles were included, with 89 failing to define or conceptualize wellbeing.
• 43 measurement tools were used across 281,478 migrants in over 35 countries.
• Only two tools (Personal Wellbeing Index, WHOQoL-BREF) showed satisfactory COSMIN scores; less than half of articles reported tool translation.

Conclusions:

• Current wellbeing measurement tools for migrants are often not culturally adapted, potentially leading to fragmented understanding.
• Instruments developed in Global North contexts may not accurately capture wellbeing in diverse migrant populations.
• Culturally informed measurement tools are essential for developing effective and equitable public health policies and interventions for migrants.