Subjective health and personal values in immigrants and nonimmigrants across Europe: Evidence from the Covid-19 era

COVID-19 has profoundly impacted physical and mental health worldwide, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including immigrants. While subjective health (SH) is widely used as a measure of well-being, little is known about how personal values influence SH differently between immigrants and nonimmigrants during crises. This study explores the relationship between personal values and SH, focusing on differences between immigrant and nonimmigrant groups. Using data from the European Social Survey (ESS), we analyzed responses from 32,963 individuals across 20 countries (Round 10: 2020–22). Multilevel modeling showed that Axis_open (Openness to change over Conservation) was positively associated with SH in both immigrant and nonimmigrant groups. However, Axis_self (Self-transcendence over Self-enhancement) was not significant among nonimmigrants, while in the immigrant group, higher Axis_self scores were significantly associated with poorer SH. These findings underscore the importance of considering cultural and migratory contexts when addressing the health implications of personal values. peerReviewed publishedVersion