Adaptation and integration of migrants in the South of Russia (on the example of the stavropol region)

Abstract

The study offers an analysis of the specific features pertaining to adaptation and integration strategies of various migrant groups; the identification of issues, and ways for successful integration of migrants in the regional community. The study has been carried out based on empirical data obtained through sociological approaches in one of Russia's southern areas - the Stavropol Region. The authors here offer their theoretical and methodological approaches to defining the key categories of socio-economic adaptation and socio-cultural integration of migrants, and identify parameters that reveal successful adaptation and integration. There are three basic migrant adaptation models proposed as well as the stages of foreign migrants' integration. Key issues of adaptation and integration of migrants (naturalization, language integration, migrantophobia, migrant capacity of host communities) have been identified. The interpretation of the outcomes obtained from studying the Stavropol Region has allowed identifying the most relevant adaptation and integration issues along with potential measures aiming to improve the migration situation in Russia