Perceived forcedness and perils of migration: Development and validation of a questionnaire for residents in receiving countries [Wahrgenommene Zwang und Gefahren der Migration: Entwicklung und Validierung eines Fragebogens für Bewohner von Aufnahmeländern]

Niemann, Lena; Hertel, Guido

Abstract

Objectives: For refugees in receiving countries, integration is a growing challenge, and a core factor in this process is residents’ perceptions of refugees. This study examines whether perceived forcedness of migration affects residents’ reactions to new members of society. In doing so, we introduce a new questionnaire to assess forcedness and perils of migration as perceived by residents of receiving countries. The PMF-Res (Perceived Migration Forcedness – Residents) allows one to compare residents’ reactions to refugees and non-refugee migrants. Methods: In Study 1 (N1 =925; 39% male, 60% female, 1% non-binary; age: M =45.44; SD = 16.30), we piloted theoretically derived items and examined their underlying factor structure. Study 2 (N2 =1056; 41% male, 57% female, 1% non-binary, 1% no information; age: M =50.69; SD =14.54) replicated these results with an independent sample and further analyzed the psychometric properties of the new measure. Results: Study 1 supported the assumed four-dimensional factor structure (i.e., perceived locus of causality; perceived options for choice; perceived pre-migration perils; and perceived migration perils). Study 2 replicated this structure with an independent sample and an experimental design. Furthermore, results provided strong evidence for reliability, construct validity, and sensitivity of the new measure. Conclusions: The new PMF-Res offers a reliable, valid, and efficient measure to assess forcedness and perils of migration from the perspective of receiving countries’ residents, and the PMF-Res may be used for both research and applied purposes.