Facilitators and constraints at each stage of the migration process

Stefanie A. Kley, Universität Hamburg

For an explanation of the process of migration decision-making and succeeding behaviour the Theory of Planned Behaviour proved to be especially useful. This contribution discusses the roles of different facilitators and constraints within a three-stage model of migration decision-making and behaviour in theoretical perspective, and it tests derived hypotheses empirically on the basis of a tailor-made panel survey (N = 2408). The results show that splitting the process of migration decision-making into the phases considering, planning and realizing migration helps to model facilitators and constraints more exactly. Experiencing life-course transitions that loosen social bonds with the current place of residence facilitates deciding in favour of migration, along with concrete opportunities for work, education, and housing that arrive at the destination. For putting migration plans into action, individual resources and social support are helpful, whereas structural constraints at the destination that prevent the appearance of concrete opportunities undermine realizing migration.