Perceived security, acculturation strategies and adaptation of labor migrants from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in Russia

Abstract

This research is dedicated to analyzing the adaptation challenges faced by the largest group of labor migrants from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in Russia. There are no significant differences in the perception of representatives from different ethnic migrant groups in Central Asia by the host population. However, they differ in language, culture, attitudes towards Russians and Russia, and perceived security, which may impact their adaptation in the host society. Additionally, the features of the countries of origin can influence migrants' acculturation and adaptation in Russia. Using the J. Berry's theory of acculturation, we examined the moderating role of perceived security in the relationship between acculturation strategies and life satisfaction, self-esteem, and sociocultural adaptation, taking into account the country of origin.

The sample included 181 migrants: 88 Tajiks from Tajikistan and 93 Uzbeks from Uzbekistan. The results of the moderation analysis indicated that assimilation and marginalization strategies were negatively related to self-esteem and positively related to sociocultural adaptation for migrants from both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Separation strategy was positively related to migrants' life satisfaction. For migrants from Tajikistan, perceived threat more often acted as a moderator, intensifying the relationship between strategies and migrants' adaptation indicators. For migrants from Uzbekistan, perceived security was the prevailing moderator. The obtained data are important for understanding behavioral patterns of migrants from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in situations of varying degrees of security. They can be valuable for employers and professionals working with migrants in Russia.