Residential relocations, well-being and mover characteristics in Sweden: divergences between distances and ethnicity

Residential relocation is a life course event that most people undergo several times in their life course. Nevertheless, how overall well-being changes as a consequence thereof is rarely assessed. Moreover, relocation is often taken as a one-size-fits-all life event. This study explores how external well-being develops differently in relation to residential relocation depending on gender, ethnicity, moving history, and moving distance. Using Swedish register data, a measure of well-being was created. Subsequently, the outcomes of residential relocations and how these change over time are different according to previous mobility events, moving distance, and individual demographic characteristics are explored. In general, residential relocations are associated with a positive and then negative fluctuation in external well-being in the first two years after relocation. A quick recovery is found afterwards. However, visible minorities and long-distance movers are more negatively affected and do not have a recovery. For visible minorities, a negative trend in well-being already started before moving, which might indicate forced mobility. No positive adjustment through subsequent short-distance mobility or long-distance moves has been found. This contrasts with previous findings that indicate positive effects based on internal measures and long-distance relocations. Moreover, it illustrates that relocation does not have a uniform impact.