Case Study of Tsalka, Georgia: Social Identity and Adaptation to a New Living Environment

Nino Injgia ()
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Nino Injgia: Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University

No 6409393, Proceedings of International Academic Conferences from International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences

Abstract: Migration is associated with adaptation problems and has a great impact on migrated people?s identity and quality of life. This case study explains how adaptation process is related to social identity transformation among eco-migrants settled in Tsalka, Georgia. Tsalka is a town in eastern Georgia with a multi-ethnic population (Georgians, Armenians, Greeks, and Azerbaijanis). It has been a location where eco-migrants from mountain regions of Georgia rushed into and settled in 1997-2006. 32 eco-migrants from 20 households participated in in-depth interviews. The results showed that there are two types of eco-migrants: with state shelter and private accomodation. Besides that initial ethnic conflicts between eco-migrants and host inhabitants ended up having a positive impact on the adaptation process. Eco-migrants who have the private property and stable jobs have a better chance for adaptation and in general, they described themselves as satisfied in their lives. Overall, the present study suggests that well-adapted eco-migrants have multiple identities, they perceive themselves as a part of a new community and at the same time, they can?t forget their old ??roots??, as they say, which is related to their welfare.

Keywords: Migration; eco-migration; Georgian eco-migrants; social identity; adaptation; identity transformation; adaptation strategies. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I31 J68 N90 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 1 page
Date: 2018-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-tra
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Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 35th International Academic Conference, Barcelona, Jun 2018, pages 62-62

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sek:iacpro:6409393

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