Subjective well-being among blue-collar immigrant employees: A systematic literature review

Abstract

We present a systematic review of 67 empirical studies that examine the factors determining subjective well-being among blue-collar immigrant employees. Drawing on conservation of resources theory, we propose an integrated conceptual framework that organizes antecedents of blue-collar immigrants' subjective well-being based on resource loss and gain dynamics. Our findings indicate that resource loss was most likely when immigrants experienced precarious employment, physically and emotionally demanding jobs, injustice at work, poor living conditions, and migration-related stressors. Conversely, resource gain was most likely when they were supported by supervisors and colleagues at work, felt emotionally supported by friends, family, and community members, and adopted personal coping strategies to manage their stressors. We conclude by signaling opportunities for future research and recommendations for practitioners seeking to augment blue-collar immigrant employees' subjective well-being.