Identifying the Impact of the Components of Social Capital on the Migration of Villagers by Mediating Role of Place Attachment (Case Study: Jiroft Township)

Abstract

Migration is the most important phenomenon that can endanger the existence and survival of the rural community. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of social capital components and place attachment on the migration of people in the villages of Jiroft County, which was done with a quantitative approach. The statistical population of the study was the active rural population. Krejice and Morgan table was used to determine the sample size (n=382). A stratified random sampling method was used to select the sample. A questionnaire was used for data collection that its validity was confirmed by a panel of experts. Furthermore, in order to assess the reliability of the research tool, Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was calculated (0.71≤α≤0.83). The results of the Pearson correlation analysis showed that increasing the distance between rural and urban areas leads to more migration. Also, the decrease in social capital among the villagers leads to an increase in their migration. The results of path analysis showed that all components of social capital have direct and significant effects on migration, and among these, social participation has the most significant direct effect on rural migration. At the same time, place attachment also has a significant direct negative effect on migration. All components of social capital have a significant direct positive effect on place attachment. This means that the higher the level of social participation, social cohesion, social trust, social awareness and social relations of the people in rural communities, the higher the probability that their place attachment will be increased and consequently, the lower the likelihood of migration among them.

Keywords

• social capital
• place attachment
• migration of villagers
• jiroft county