Health and Well-being in Migration: Insights from the University of Malta Annual Conference

 On December 11th, the University of Malta’s Platform for Migration hosted its annual migration research conference. This year’s focus was on health and well-being in the context of migration. The event opened with the presentation of the Mediterranean Journal of Migration, followed by a keynote address on the current state of migrant health in Malta.

The conference panels presented research exploring what enables working migrants in Malta to thrive. A key theme emerging from the discussions was a shift in perspective: integration models were shown to be significantly more effective than assimilation-based approaches.

Discussions highlighted a shift in perspective: a model of integration is significantly more effective than an assimilation model.

According to research presented by Lanette Kristel Dela Cruz, working migrants thrive when both individual and structural conditions are in place and when core psychological needs are met:

  • Competence: the ability to apply skills and expertise in professional roles

  • Autonomy: access to roles that provide authority, flexibility, security, and self-sufficiency

  • Relatedness: the development of professional networks and a sense of belonging

At an individual level, personal drive and self-care play an important role—an aspect that is often overlooked or difficult to prioritise. Structurally, thriving is supported through access to meaningful employment, support services, and environments that promote work–life balance and fair treatment.

Another major topic addressed at the conference was the concept of assimilation, which has been widely criticised. Research has shown that assimilation policies can contribute to a loss of identity among migrants. Such approaches may trigger survival strategies such as role-playing and “desperate optimism,” or, in more severe cases, lead to social withdrawal, psychological distress, and even suicide. Imposing a rigid “refugee identity” removes an individual’s freedom to define themselves, potentially forcing migrants into an unfamiliar psychological space disconnected from both their original and host cultures.

In response to these limitations, panellists introduced the concept of pro-culturation—a person-centred psychological perspective that focuses on individual subjectivity and transformation. Pro-culturation views identity as an ongoing process, where individuals continuously negotiate meaning through the integration of familiar and unfamiliar cultural elements. Rather than treating cultures as fixed entities, this approach emphasises self-reconstruction and agency.

Claire Vella Aquilina presented research on Filipino live-in care workers in Malta. The findings highlighted that women dominate this sector globally, often influenced by cultural norms that prioritise familial caregiving. This has contributed to the emergence of the “super-care” stereotype associated with this group.

The research showed that power dynamics within care relationships are fluid:

  • Employers’ power is often linked to the carer’s economic vulnerability.

  • Carers’ power derives from their awareness of their essential role in the well-being of the elderly person.

Mutual adaptation was observed through the use of English as a shared language and through food practices, with Filipino carers preparing Maltese dishes and families embracing cross-cultural exchange.

The study identified several key insights:

  • Persistent stereotypes based on gender, ethnicity, and poverty

  • Care relationships as fundamentally interdependent

  • Improved communication through mutual accommodation

  • Live-in care as a pathway to integration via sustained interpersonal contact

Despite these benefits, the research also revealed significant challenges and forms of exploitation. The precarious visa status of many Filipino workers often prevents them from reporting mistreatment. Fear of losing residency may result in unpaid night work, additional labour for relatives, or other forms of exploitation. Some carers reported being falsely accused of stealing food as a means of restricting their autonomy.

Another serious concern raised was the lack of adequate response when carers become ill or pass away. In some cases, carers are buried in the host country rather than repatriated due to financial constraints, reflecting subtle but troubling forms of discrimination.

Proposed solutions from the public discussion included the creation of carers’ cooperatives to reduce legal vulnerability, as well as random spot checks or planned visits by police or social services to monitor and prevent exploitation.

The conference continued with a presentation by Valeska Padovese on sexual health among migrants and asylum seekers in Malta. High prevalence rates of HIV, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted diseases were discussed, with structural determinants such as war trauma, economic marginalisation, and irregular residency status identified as key risk factors. Particularly vulnerable groups include LGBTQ individuals, people experiencing homelessness, and sex workers, many of whom endure severe physical and psychological hardship during their migration journeys.

In response to these challenges, the REACH OUT project was presented. This initiative brings together NGOs and public entities—including St John’s Ambulance and the GU Clinic at Mater Dei Hospital—to support disease control and promote inclusive healthcare policies.

The conference concluded with the presentation of Beyond Skin Deep, a project focused on visual training for migrant skin health, torture, and violence detection. The initiative aims to improve the recognition of dermatological indicators of torture among Euro-Mediterranean migrant populations.

Overall, the conference was a thought-provoking and impactful event, addressing both the psycho-physical challenges faced by migrant workers in Malta and the practical, policy-oriented solutions needed to support their well-being.

Article by Federica Pettinato