28-30 May 2025, Rome, Italy
Cela, E., Miaci, E., Barbiano, Campaniello, L., Sorti, E. (2025) “Health and Vulnerability among Refugees In Italy: Exploring Self-Rated Health, Mental Health, and Unmet Health Needs.“ Paper presented at SIEDS 2025 Conference, Rome, 28-30 May 2025
Abstract: The literature indicates that migrants tend to be a selected group from the population of their country of origin, particularly with respect to health status. In contrast, asylum seekers and refugees typically represent a less selected group as highlighted by empirical evidence. The health status of these specific subgroups of migrants remains under-researched in the Italian context. However, asylum seekers and refugees may have specific health needs stemming from their pre-migration and travel experiences that warrant further investigation. This study addresses this gap by examining self-rated health among asylum seekers and refugees residing in Italy. Health status is analysed in relation to socio-demographic characteristics and various dimensions of vulnerability. We draw on data from a unique survey conducted in 2024 on asylum seekers and refugees living in Italy with a total sample of 1,327 individuals. Our results highlight a positive relation between social support networks and health status. Conversely, experiences of discrimination, economic deprivation, female gender, and older age are negatively associated with health outcomes.
Mendola D., Busetta A. (2025) “Time and resilience. Evidence from a new survey of refugees and asylum seekers in Italy”. Paper presented at SIEDS 2025 Conference, Rome, 28-30 May 2025
Abstract: Migration studies agree that resilience is a crucial dimension for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers; however, the exploration of how resilience differs among individuals of different ages and its association with the integration process is poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the role of time on resilience. Particularly, whether resilience differs by age and whether it is related to the length of permanence in the hosting country. Our analysis benefits from the ItRAS (Italian Refugees and Asylum Seekers Survey), the first nationally representative survey of beneficiaries of refugee status, asylum seekers, and other forms of international protection. The survey was conducted in 2024 and included individuals who had resided in Italy for at least six months but not before 2011. We explored the interplay of time and resilience, controlling for the main individual socio-demographic characteristics and perceptions of life satisfaction and discrimination. The analysis employed an ordinal logit model, which accounted for within-cluster correlation by nationality to correct for potential biases introduced by shared experiences or backgrounds. The probability of being resilient is significantly different by age, with a lower resilience among the youngest. The model also suggests that the number of years since arrival in Italy is significantly associated with resilience. Among the most resilient refugees and asylum seekers, those who have recently arrived (less than 5 years before the interview) show a higher probability of being highly resilient than those who arrived ten or more years ago, with statistically significant differences. No evidence of any pattern by age or by year of arrival for those less resilient. By providing insights into the role of time on resilience, this study aims to draw the attention of policymakers to implementing policies that preserve the natural resilience that some refugees have upon arrival and avoid the circumstances that lead to their deterioration.
Miaci, E., Stranges, M., Cela, E. (2025) Differences in Health Perception between Refugees and other Migrants: A Cross-Country Study in the EU. Paper presented at SIEDS 2025 Conference, Rome, 28-30 May 2025
Abstract: This study investigates health disparities between refugees and other migrants in Europe. While economic migrants often benefit from positive health selection, refugees face unique challenges related to trauma and vulnerabilities associated with forced displacement. Using data from the EU-MIDIS II survey (2015-2016), we analyse chronic health conditions by migration status. Descriptive results show variation in the distribution of health issues across a range of individual and contextual characteristics, including age, socioeconomic conditions, length of residence and context of destination. Preliminary regression analyses do not show statistically significant differences in the likelihood of reporting long-term health problems between refugees and other migrants. These findings highlight the importance of addressing migrant health disparities through targeted policy interventions, with a particular attention to socio-economic integration, equitable access to healthcare services, and the role of family support in improving health outcomes across Europe.
Parroco, A.M., Arcaio, M., Mendola, D. (2025) “Employment and Life Satisfaction among Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Italy: Evidence from the ItRAS Survey”. Paper presented at SIEDS 2025 Conference, Rome, 28-30 May 2025
Abstract: Employment plays a crucial role in fostering integration, providing autonomy, stability, and fulfilment, particularly relevant for forcibly displaced individuals. Moreover, employment is known to be positively associated with overall life satisfaction. However, this population's access to formal job contracts remains limited, often due to structural social barriers. While existing literature highlights these obstacles, it also suggests that socio-economic support can facilitate labour market integration. This study examines employment outcomes among asylum seekers and refugees in Italy, investigating their relationship with overall life satisfaction, structural barriers and socio-economic support. The analysis is based on data from the Italian Survey on Refugees and Asylum Seekers (ItRAS, 2024), a novel dataset providing unprecedented insights into various aspects of refugees' lives in Italy. Notably, this survey fills a significant gap in official statistical sources, which currently rely solely on incomplete and fragmented administrative data.
Using partially proportional odds models, the study assesses key determinants of employment. The findings confirm a positive association between employment and overall life satisfaction, as well as with language proficiency and the presence of an existing network of friends from the hosting country. Conversely, poor health conditions, lower legal protection and lower educational attainment significantly decrease the likelihood of being employed—whether through formal or informal contracts. These results align with evidence from other countries and add to the knowledge of the phenomenon in the Italian context, where specific studies on this topic have been lacking. However, issues related to reverse causality in some of the analysed variables remain to be further explored in future research.
Link: SIEDS Program
