Chapter 2: Assessing the Family–Migration Nexus: A Theoretical Framework for Studying the Consequences of Migration*

Migration and family patterns interact in many ways. Even though a large body of research assessing different aspects of this so-called family–migration nexus exists, different perspectives often stand disconnected. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to connect some of these different perspectives by providing a theoretical framework for studying the family–migration nexus. Migration is conceptualized as a life course process, with the family not only impacting the migration process (including the post-migration or integration stage) but also being itself an important outcome to consider. Focusing on the consequences of migration, elaborations particularly consider (a) the consequences of migration in terms of the family (i.e., to what extent does migration disrupt or interrelate with family processes?) and (b) the role of the family in shaping post-migration outcomes in other life domains (i.e., other social networks, the occupational domain, and subjective well-being). These elaborations emphasize the importance of considering migration contexts, that is, not only origin and destination country characteristics but also other migration-related aspects and migrants’ individual characteristics. To assess these theoretical considerations, appropriate data are required. Therefore, this chapter also outlines the respective data requirements.