The relationship between lifestyle migration and new age beliefs with psychopathological symptoms and subjective well-being

Lifestyle migration refers to the relocation of relatively affluent individuals of all ages —either temporarily or permanently, part-time or full-time— to places they perceive as offering a better quality of life. In recent years, a flow of non-economic migration has been observed in Turkey, particularly from major cities like Istanbul and Ankara to coastal cities in the Aegean region, especially Izmir. This migration is predominantly undertaken by urban residents from various age groups with above-average education and income levels. The aim of this study is to comparatively examine the profiles and mental health of individuals who have been employed as white-collar workers in Istanbul or Ankara for at least two years, and those who previously worked in these cities for at least two years but later migrated to Izmir, Muğla, Aydın, or Antalya as lifestyle migrants. Furthermore, the study aims to examine variables related to psychopathology and subjective well-being among both lifestyle migrant and non-migrant participants. Accordingly, two new scales were developed for the main study: the New Age Beliefs Scale, which measures individuals' level of belief in New Age ideologies, and the New Age Practices Scale, which measures the level of engagement in New Age practices. New Age beliefs represent an eclectic spiritual system wherein individuals, without adhering to an organized religion, construct their personal spiritual journeys by integrating elements from various religions, beliefs, movements, and philosophies that align with their personal needs. Within the scope of the scale development part of this study, data were collected from 216 participants for Exploratory Factor Analysis. Subsequently, data were collected from 327 participants for Confirmatory Factor Analysis and reliability and validity analysis. The research findings demonstrate that both scales are valid and reliable measurement tools. In the main study, data were collected from a total of 324 individuals, including 148 lifestyle migrants and 176 white-collar workers working in Istanbul or Ankara. In the study, the data collection instruments included the 'Sociodemographic Information Form', 'Migration-Related Questionnaire', 'Brief Symptom Inventory', 'Positive and Negative Affect Schedule', 'Satisfaction With Life Scale', 'Meaning in Life Questionnaire', 'WHOQOL-BREF', 'Muslim Religiosity Scale', 'New Age Beliefs Scale', and 'New Age Practices Scale'. The findings revealed that lifestyle migrants, compared to non-migrants, had a higher average age and income level, positioned themselves more to the left on the political spectrum, had lower levels of religiosity, and engaged more frequently in New Age practices. The study also found that, lifestyle migrants have lower levels of psychopathology symptoms and higher levels of subjective well-being, quality of life, and meaning in life compared to non-migrants. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that, in addtion to the effect of lifestyle migration, both physical and psychological quality of life negatively predict psychopathology symptom level, whereas engaging in New Age practices positively and significantly predicts psychopathology symptom level (associated with its severity). Lifestyle migration, presence of life meaning, and both psychological and environmental quality of life were found to positively and significantly predict subjective well-being. Moderation analyses revealed that migration status moderated the relationship between New Age beliefs and psychopathology symptom levels, such that engaging in New Age practices was associated with higher levels of psychopathology symptom only among non-migrants. Migration status also moderated the relationship between political orientation and subjective well-being; among non-migrants, positioning themselves more to the left on the political spectrum was associated with lower subjective well-being, whereas right-leaning political orientation correlated with higher levels of well-being. However, migration status did not moderate the relationship between New Age beliefs and subjective well-being levels. The results were discussed in light of the relevant literature, and the study's limitations and recommendations for future research were presented.