FEATURES OF THE FORMATION OF RUSSIAN IDENTITY AMONG MIGRANTS IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIO-CULTURAL ADAPTATION

Eremina Ekaterina Vitalievna

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the formation of Russian identity among migrants in the context of their socio-cultural adaptation. The relevance of the topic is due to the growing role of migration processes in the transformation of the socio-cultural space of Russia. The purpose of the study is to identify the key factors and mechanisms that determine the specifics of the identification processes of migrants during integration into the host community. The tasks include the conceptualization of the concepts of Russian identity and socio-cultural adaptation of migrants, the systematization of theoretical approaches, and the analysis of empirical data. The methodology is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods: questionnaire survey (n=500), semi-structured interview (n=30), focus groups (4 groups of 8-10 people), content analysis of mass media and social media. The sample includes migrant workers and representatives of the host population in three regions of Russia. The results show that the formation of Russian identity among migrants is nonlinear and contradictory. Three main patterns were identified: assimilation (38%), bicultural (47%), and segregation (15%). Socio-demographic, economic and cultural predictors of each type were determined (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences in acculturation strategies were recorded depending on the region, ethnicity, and length of stay of migrants (χ2, p<0.01). The theoretical significance lies in the conceptualization of the Russian identity of migrants as a multidimensional dynamic construct. The results obtained deepen the scientific understanding of adaptation processes and can serve as a basis for the development of a more effective migration and integration policy.

Keywords:Russian identity, socio-cultural adaptation, migrants, acculturation, integration, host community