Background:Against the backdrop of the complex interplay between global migration flows and the European Union’s governance system,immigrants’subjective well-being(SWB)has become a crucial indicator for assessing bo...Background:Against the backdrop of the complex interplay between global migration flows and the European Union’s governance system,immigrants’subjective well-being(SWB)has become a crucial indicator for assessing both their social integration and the effectiveness of integration policies.However,few studies have systematically linked immigration law and policy to SWB through a structured framework of human needs.This study aims to assess how European Union(EU)immigration policies influence immigrants’SWB by facilitating the fulfillment of hierarchical needs based on Maslow’s theory.Methods:Using data from the European Social Survey(ESS,2010–2023),this study analyzed 28,854 first-generation and second-generation immigrants across 24 EU member states.This study employed hierarchical regression models to assess the relative contribution of five levels of needs-physiological,safety,social,esteem,and self-actualization-in predicting life satisfaction and happiness,controlling for sociodemographic factors.Results:Safety needs-comprising perceived safety and institutional trust-produced the largest model improvement(ΔR^(2)≈0.06–0.07).Physiological needs(stable income and self-rated health)also had significant positive effect(β=0.06–0.25,p<0.001).Social and esteem needs showed moderate associations(β≈0.09–0.17,p<0.001),while self-actualization needs(education and union membership)displayed generational variation(β=0.02–0.10,p<0.01).Conclusion:This study not only validates the applicability of Maslow’s theory in migration research but also empirically establishes a policy hierarchy:ensuring physiological and safety needs as a foundation,supporting social and esteem needs,and enabling self-actualization pathways are essential for enhancing immigrant well-being.The findings offer valuable theoretical insights and practical guidance for refining immigrant integration policies within the EU’s multi-level governance structure.展开更多
文摘Background:Against the backdrop of the complex interplay between global migration flows and the European Union’s governance system,immigrants’subjective well-being(SWB)has become a crucial indicator for assessing both their social integration and the effectiveness of integration policies.However,few studies have systematically linked immigration law and policy to SWB through a structured framework of human needs.This study aims to assess how European Union(EU)immigration policies influence immigrants’SWB by facilitating the fulfillment of hierarchical needs based on Maslow’s theory.Methods:Using data from the European Social Survey(ESS,2010–2023),this study analyzed 28,854 first-generation and second-generation immigrants across 24 EU member states.This study employed hierarchical regression models to assess the relative contribution of five levels of needs-physiological,safety,social,esteem,and self-actualization-in predicting life satisfaction and happiness,controlling for sociodemographic factors.Results:Safety needs-comprising perceived safety and institutional trust-produced the largest model improvement(ΔR^(2)≈0.06–0.07).Physiological needs(stable income and self-rated health)also had significant positive effect(β=0.06–0.25,p<0.001).Social and esteem needs showed moderate associations(β≈0.09–0.17,p<0.001),while self-actualization needs(education and union membership)displayed generational variation(β=0.02–0.10,p<0.01).Conclusion:This study not only validates the applicability of Maslow’s theory in migration research but also empirically establishes a policy hierarchy:ensuring physiological and safety needs as a foundation,supporting social and esteem needs,and enabling self-actualization pathways are essential for enhancing immigrant well-being.The findings offer valuable theoretical insights and practical guidance for refining immigrant integration policies within the EU’s multi-level governance structure.
