Getting there? The effects of functional factors, time and place on the social integration of migrants

Kearns, A. and Whitley, E. (2015) Getting there? The effects of functional factors, time and place on the social integration of migrants. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 41(13), pp. 2105-2129. (doi: 10.1080/1369183X.2015.1030374) (PMID:28473737) (PMCID:PMC5412955)

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Abstract

A survey of 1,400 migrants, including many asylum seekers and refugees, living in deprived areas in Glasgow UK is used to test hypotheses in the literature about the effects of functional factors (educational qualifications, ability to speak English, employment), time and place upon the social integration of migrants. Three aspects are considered: trust, reliance and safety; social relations; sense of community. Overall, social integration indicators were worse for migrants than for British citizens living in the same places. Functional factors were positively associated with different aspects of social integration: higher education with more neighbourly behaviours; employment with better social relations and belonging; and English language with greater reliance on others and available social support. Time was positively associated with most social integration indicators; time in the local area more so than time in the UK. Living in a regeneration area was negatively associated with many aspects of social integration. The findings raise questions about the doubly negative effects of the use of dispersal policy for asylum seekers to regeneration areas, necessitating secondary relocation of migrants through further, forced onward migration.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kearns, Professor Ade and Whitley, Dr Elise
Authors: Kearns, A., and Whitley, E.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
Journal Name:Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:1369-183X
ISSN (Online):1469-9451
Published Online:17 April 2015
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 Taylor and Francis
First Published:First published in Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 41(13):2105-2129
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
727651SPHSU Core Renewal: Measuring and Analysing Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health Research ProgrammeAlastair LeylandMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12017/13IHW - MRC/CSO SPHU