Belonging and life satisfaction among migrants: the roles of identity, social comparison, and discrimination

This study examines how belonging, identity orientations, social comparison patterns, and perceived discrimination are associated with life satisfaction among Turkish migrants in the Netherlands. The analysis is based on cross-sectional survey data from 1,006 respondents. Ordered logit models are used to assess the associations between identity orientations, comparison patterns, perceived discrimination, and two outcomes: life satisfaction and sense of belonging to the Netherlands. The results indicate that identifying as Dutch or as a world citizen, as well as placing greater importance on comparisons with Dutch natives, is positively associated with both life satisfaction and host-country belonging. In contrast, emphasizing comparisons with origin-based reference groups and reporting higher levels of perceived discrimination are negatively associated with these outcomes. Participation in non-governmental organizations and longer residence in the Netherlands are positively associated with belonging. These patterns are robust across model specifications. The findings highlight the role of cognitive and evaluative dimensions of integration, alongside socio-economic factors, in understanding migrant well-being.