Subjective well‑being in Mexican return migrants
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Date
2023
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Publisher
Springer Science+Business Media
Abstract
Description
Various studies in recent years have examined the factors that create well-being in
the migrant population, such as high wages and better employment opportunities.
However, less attention has been paid to socio-cultural aspects that infuence the
subjective well-being (SWB) of returned migrants and are not necessarily associated
with economic or material achievements. The aim of this paper is to describe subjective well-being (SWB) from the perspective of a group of Mexican migrants who
were returned from the USA. Qualitative methods are used to examine the experiences of twelve return migrants: nine men and three women. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with an interview guide and analyzed using the
categorization of meaning technique. The aims of the project were explained to all
the subjects, who were asked for permission to record and publish the information.
The results show that the migration experience was satisfactory in that it improved
certain aspects of their lives. The main sources of subjective well-being are accomplishments, family reunifcation, construction of social networks, and voluntary
work with organizations for return migrants. Using qualitative methodology enabled
us to question statements that are not necessarily applicable to all cases, as happens with return migrants, who are usually associated with a failed migration project and therefore with a perception of dissatisfaction with their migration trajectory.
This type of study can provide complementary information to weigh up the needs of
migrants when they return and the issues that can be revisited and reassessed on the
basis of the experiences and learning they bring with them.