The bright side of migrationfrom identity management to happiness

Zusammenfassung

By breaking the mould of the traditional focus on negative symptoms, the present dissertation has made room for the consideration of immigrant¿s eudaimonia: their psychological strengths and potential. Following the central theme of immigrants¿ eudaimonia, this dissertation has addressed three main aims. First, the research has demonstrated that immigrants¿ adaptation is a complex process and cannot be treated in one-dimensional fashion. Special emphasis was placed on migrants¿ personal growth as a result of the successful negotiation of challenges in life, including the confrontation of discrimination and prejudice. Furthermore, immigrants in Spain were found to be not always disadvantaged in their well-being as compared to host nationals. Second, this dissertation has dealt with the manifold determinants and explanatory processes underlying immigrants¿ well-being. Identity management was found to be a successful tool for protecting self-concept from the detrimental influence of disadvantaged social status, perceived discrimination, and perceived social structure. Dealing effectively with negative social identity helps maintain satisfactory levels of well-being. Nevertheless, some identity management efforts appear to be less adaptive, and future research should explore these issues in more depth. Finally, the present work has sought to examine the consequences of immigrants¿ displays of well-being in the host society. The findings confirmed that expressing happiness may actually be a healthy strategy for immigrants to become accepted by the host society. In conclusion, we can say that immigrants do not have to suffer from Ulysses syndrome; indeed, the reality is that they frequently demonstrate Herculean strength.