Transnational Family Relations, Health, and Well-being (TransWell)

Integration Department

Project head: Dr. David Schiefer

When family members live apart over long distances or even across national borders, this can have a substantial impact on family life and therefore also on health and well-being. However, international studies show inconsistent findings and point to a complex relationship between distance, family life, health and well-being that depends on many aspects. Overall, there is still a lack of in-depth understanding of the relevant empirical relations. This understanding is not only scientifically relevant, but also for political intervention, for example in the area of family policy. Using data from the newly established German Family Demography Panel Study (FReDA), the project is therefore investigating how transnational family relationships are linked to the health and well-being of family members living in Germany. To this end, the Department of Integration has introduced an item module into the FReDA panel as part of a competitive tendering process.

Funding: Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Institutional funding)