Immigrant Status, Wealth Attainment and Life Satisfaction among Married Adults in Hong Kong

Yuying Tong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

In immigrant integrations studies, many objective measures have been examined and subjective measures have received less attention. Using Family Life Survey Data collected in Hong Kong in 2009, this paper examines the impact of immigrant status on married adults’ life satisfaction in Hong Kong. The regression models show that immigrants are less satisfied with their life in Hong Kong overall. However, wealth attainment has a mediating impact on the negative influences of immigrant status on life satisfaction. Hours-of-workings seem also plays a very important mediating role. Longer duration or earlier arrival in Hong Kong could help narrow the gap of life satisfaction of immigrants and non-immigrants. The results indicate that economic achievement is the most important factor for immigrant to gain similar level of life satisfaction in the host society.