Migration intentions in a politically divided context: The interactive roles of affective polarization and dyadic political attitudes

Abstract

This study examines migration intentions in a politically divided context, focusing on the interactive roles of individuals’ and the spouses’ affective polarization and political attitudes. Our study uses Hong Kong as a case study to elucidate migration intentions in the context of political polarization and increasing authoritarianism. We investigate how individuals facing the same political conditions exhibit varying inclinations to migrate. Our analysis is based on dyadic data from a representative household survey involving 1003 married couples. The findings reveal that spousal pro-democratic attitudes and affective polarization are associated with stronger migration intentions, with significant implications for predicting migration patterns. Moreover, the study highlights the significance of the interactive role between individuals’ and the spouses’ political attitudes in shaping migration intentions. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between dyadic political attitudes, affective polarization, and migration intentions in highly developed societies with advanced economies.