[The Connection between Objective and Subjective Attributions of a Migration Background with Perceived Discrimination and Racism]. / Der Zusammenhang zwischen objektiven und subjektiven Zuschreibungen eines Migrationshintergrundes mit wahrgenommener Diskriminierung und Rassismus.

BACKGROUND: The criteria-oriented assessment of the population with a migration background that is common in Germany is currently being criticized from a social science and methodological perspective, among others. In particular, its usefulness as an indicator of perceived discrimination against the population with a migration background can be critically questioned based on the current state of research METHOD: Based on a population-representative data set (N=1,989) for the city of Berlin, the subjective perception of a migration background based on self-attribution and anticipated external attribution of a migration background was recorded in addition to the objective assessment of a migration background. Furthermore, socio-demographic and migration-specific characteristics as well as perceived discrimination were assessed. Using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, differences between the objective and subjective assessment of a migration background and their relationship with perceived discrimination were analyzed. RESULTS: Less than half (38%, 154/400) of the respondents identified as having a migrant background using the criterion-oriented approach reported describing themselves as migrants. 36% (144/405) reported that they believed that others in Germany described them as a person with a migrantion background. Respondents with a migration background are significantly more likely to experience discrimination on grounds of skin color, religion or country of origin compared to respondents without a migration background. Furthermore, it was found that both the self-attribution and the anticipated attribution by others as a migrant are positively associated with experiences of discrimination and racism. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that migration-sensitive research should not simply differentiate between people with and without a migration background according to official criteria. Rather, the subjective perceptions of one's own attribution as a migrant seem more suitable as indicators of discrimination and should be taken into account in future research or surveys on experiences of discrimination.

Mental health and well-being in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic among different population subgroups: evidence from representative longitudinal data in Germany.

OBJECTIVES: To examine potential deteriorations in mental health and well-being in the first COVID-19 pandemic year compared with the previous decade focusing on the following vulnerable subgroups in Germany: women with minor children in the household, those living without a partner, younger and older adults, those in a precarious labour market situation, immigrants and refugees, and those with pre-existing physical or mental health risks. DESIGN: Analyses of secondary longitudinal survey data using cluster-robust pooled ordinary least squares models. PARTICIPANTS: More than 20 000 individuals (aged 16+ years) in Germany. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Mental Component Summary Scale (MCS) of the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey measuring mental health-related quality of life, single item on life satisfaction (LS). RESULTS: We find a decline in the average MCS in the 2020 survey that is not particularly striking in the overall time course, still resulting in a mean score below those of all preceding waves since 2010. We find no change in LS from 2019 to 2020 against the background of a general upward trend. Regarding vulnerability factors, only the results on age and parenthood are partially in line with our expectations. In 2020, LS declined among the youngest adults; MCS declined among mothers (and women and men without children) but not fathers. Unlike respective comparison groups, refugees, those unemployed before the pandemic and those with pre-existing mental health risks experienced no MCS declines in 2020, whereas persons living without a partner, the eldest, and those with pre-existing health risks exhibited continued increases in LS. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence for substantial breakdowns in mental health or subjective well-being in the first pandemic year in the German population or its subgroups, particularly when considering developments of the previous decade. Since the majority of hypothesised vulnerable groups to pandemic stressors showed more stable MCS and LS, our results warrant further study.