@Article{ijmhp.2025.072232,
AUTHOR = {Quan Cheng, Yun Lin, Hui Yu},
TITLE = {The Impact of EU Immigration Law and Policy on Immigrants’ Subjective Well-Being},
JOURNAL = {International Journal of Mental Health Promotion},
VOLUME = {27},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {12},
PAGES = {1961--1988},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/IJMHP/v27n12/65312},
ISSN = {2049-8543},
ABSTRACT = {<b>Background:</b> 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. <b>Methods:</b> 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. <b>Results:</b> Safety needs—comprising perceived safety and institutional trust—produced the largest model improvement (ΔR<sup>2</sup> ≈ 0.06–0.07). Physiological needs (stable income and self-rated health) also had significant positive effect (<i>β</i> = 0.06–0.25, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Social and esteem needs showed moderate associations (<i>β</i> ≈ 0.09–0.17, <i>p</i> < 0.001), while self-actualization needs (education and union membership) displayed generational variation (<i>β</i> = 0.02–0.10, <i>p</i> < 0.01). <b>Conclusion:</b> 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.},
DOI = {10.32604/ijmhp.2025.072232}
}