A Study of Conditions and Strategies for Desirable Social Integration of Immigrants in Mashhad

علوم اجتماعی دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد

Article 1, Volume 22, Issue 1 - Serial Number 51, April 2025, Pages 1-38   

Document Type: Research

DOI: 10.22067/social.2022.79254.1245

Authors

Maryam Sohrabi¹; Hossein Akbari^{* 2}; Gholamreza Sedigh Ouraee³; Rasoul Sadeghi⁴

¹PhD in Sociology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

²Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

³Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

⁴Associate Professor, Department of Demography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Integration denotes the connection and integration of new components (here immigrants) into an existing system. Integration is a reciprocal process with mutual conciliation and agreement of immigrants and natives. In the integration process, programs designed for the education and training of immigrants are essential to promote their participation in society. Today, different societies struggle with a sizable population of immigrants and new arrivals, and this rapid expansion of immigration has underlined the importance of social integration of immigrants. This research aims to identify the conditions and strategies for social integration of immigrants. In this qualitative study, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and data analysis was conducted using grounded theory. Using purposeful sampling and theoretical saturation criterion, a sample of 28 immigrants was interviewed in Mashhad city. The collected data were coded and analyzed in the form of 2 main themes and 11 sub-themes. The results suggest that the conditions of desirable social integration include background conditions (including the themes of desired religious atmosphere, access to recreational facilities, suitable educational facilities and moral values of Mashhad), causal conditions (including the themes of non-discriminatory views, facilitated living conditions in Mashhad, anonymity, sense of independence and ease of participation in Mashhad society) and interfering conditions (including the themes of bad moral values, ethnic-religious prejudices and gender discriminations). Networking, optimal social adaptation, growth-oriented psychological skills, and support are some of the strategies for optimal social integration of immigrants in Mashhad.
 
 

Keywords

Desirable Social Integration; Push and Pull; Social Capital; Immigrants of Mashhad

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