Социологическая наука и социальная практика (Jun 2024)
Duration of stay and the integration of migrants: (un)obvious relationships
Abstract
The article presents the results of a study of the relationship between the duration of stay and the type of migration strategies with various aspects of the integration of migrants from post-Soviet states in Russian society. It is analyzed how at different time intervals (up to 5 years, after 5–10 years, after 10 years from the beginning of migration) improvements occur in status, quality of life, transnational connections (in relation to integration, a decrease in their “density”), language skills, interethnic contacts, the formation of Russian identity among long-term and circular external migrants. A research model is used that includes “relevant conditions” for each integration indicator. The empirical basis of the study was based on data from a nationwide survey of labor migrants conducted by the Center for Ethnopolitical and Regional Studies in 19 constituent entities of the Russian Federation (2017, sample of 7417 respondents). The results of the study show that changes in the status and frequency of interethnic contacts are not associated with duration of stay for either long-term or circular migrants, even when integration conditions are added to the analysis. The “density” of transnational connections changes significantly over time (the peak occurs between 5–10 years after the start of migration, and after 10 years it decreases), however, the interpretation of this connection requires further investigation. “Time” is positively related to such indicators of integration as language skills, quality of life, and identity formation. These connections do not disappear when “relevant conditions” of integration are added to the analysis, however, it is concluded that the duration of stay in itself is not a factor in progress in integration, but acts “together” with the context of migration, the motivation of the actors, their individual capabilities and available resources. resources that determine the trajectory and pace of the integration process.
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