TY  - EJOU
AU  - Cheng, Quan 
AU  - Lin, Yun 
AU  - Yu, Hui 

TI  - The Impact of EU Immigration Law and Policy on Immigrants’ Subjective Well-Being
T2  - International Journal of Mental Health Promotion

PY  - 2025
VL  - 27
IS  - 12
SN  - 2049-8543

AB  - <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.
KW  - Subjective well-being; immigration law and policy; EU immigration; Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

DO  - 10.32604/ijmhp.2025.072232