Post-Migration Difficulties, Self-Efficacy, and Daily Mood among Asylum Seekers: A Comparison of Two Italian Reception Contexts

Even though research in migratory settings internationally is gaining a lot of attention and support recently, empirical research in this context and more specifically in asylum seekers in Italy, remains scarce. Most importantly, most research has relied primarily on cross-sectional and retrospective designs, missing out on daily experiences of this population. This study examined post-migration difficulties, daily mood, and self-efficacy among asylum seekers living in two differently organized Extraordinary Reception Centers (CAS) in Padua and in the Rome Metropolitan Area. Using a mixed-method approach within a broader project, semi-structured interviews were combined with baseline questionnaires and 14 days of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) among 36 asylum seekers. Qualitative findings highlighted difficulties related to self-determination, dependence, social relationships and integration, and psychological wellbeing. Quantitative findings showed post-migration difficulties in both contexts and while participants in Padua reported higher daily self-efficacy than those in Rome, differences in daily mood were less consistent. Overall, the findings suggest that asylum seekers’ wellbeing is shaped by the interaction between individual resources and the social, institutional, and organizational conditions of reception. The study highlights the value of combining contextual perspectives with repeated assessments of asylum seekers’ everyday experiences. Keywords: asylum seekers, CAS, EMA, post-migratory difficulties, self-efficacy, daily mood