Social Integration Research Articles

The use of digital technology and social integration of migrants in China

ABSTRACT Using nationally representative data, we examine the effect of digital technology use on social integration of migrants in China. We find that digital technology use can increase the social integration of migrants by 0.357, compared to those who do not use. Besides, using internet to browse information, learn and serve life helps to promote social integration, but to play, chat and work does not. This article sheds light on the impact of digital technology on social integration of migrants in current digital society, and also indicates that promoting the diffusion of digital technology and guiding internet use behaviour are important to the social integration of migrants.

Health-related outcomes 6 months after integrated care of older people with stroke in 2 different primary care settings.

Integrated care has been proven to be effective among stroke survivors. However, in China, these services mainly focus on connecting the healthcare system (acute, primary medical, and skilled) at the individual level. Closer health and social care integration is a new concept. This study aimed to compare health-related outcomes 6 months after the implementation of the 2 integrated care models. It was a 6-month follow-up of an open, prospectively study comparing the outcomes of a model of integrated health and social care (IHSC) versus a usual integrated healthcare (IHC) model. Outcomes were measured by Short-Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) at 3 and 6 months, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in MBI scores between patients in the 2 models either after 3 months or at the end of intervention. The same trend was not seen in Physical Components Summary, an integral component of SF-36. Patients in IHSC model scored statistically significant higher points in Mental Components Summary, another integral part of SF-36 than patients in IHC model after 6 months. Average scores of CSI were statistically significant lower for IHSC model than for IHC model after 6 months. The findings suggest the need to improve the scales of integration and recognize the vital role played by social care services when designing or improving an integrated care for older people with stroke.

Characteristics of classroom composition and teaching practices and the social integration of students with and without special educational needs in inclusive education environments

ZusammenfassungAktuelle Studien weisen darauf hin, dass Schüler*innen mit sonderpädagogischem Förderbedarf, die an allgemeinen Schulen unterrichtet werden, weniger sozial eingebunden sind als diejenigen ohne sonderpädagogischen Förderbedarf. Theoretisch wird dieser Befund unter anderem auf soziale Vergleichsprozesse und Kontaktmöglichkeiten der Schüler*innen sowie auf den Einfluss der Lehrkräfte durch ihren persönlichen Umgang mit den Schüler*innen zurückgeführt. Eine Schlüsselfunktion wird hierbei dem Unterricht zugesprochen: Dieser kann als soziale Situation betrachtet werden, in der sich die Zusammensetzung und konkrete Unterrichtsgestaltung auch auf die Entstehung sozialer Kontakte und damit die soziale Integration der Schüler*innen auswirken. Mit Daten des IQB-Bildungstrends 2016 (N = 9417) wurde untersucht, ob verschiedene Merkmale der Klassenzusammensetzung und der Unterrichtsgestaltung mit der sozialen Integration der Schüler*innen zusammenhängen und inwiefern sich diese für Schüler*innen mit (n = 899) und ohne (n = 8488) sonderpädagogischen Förderbedarf der Schwerpunkte Lernen, Sprache und emotionale-soziale Entwicklung unterscheiden. Unter Verwendung von Mehrebenenstrukturgleichungsmodellen konnte gezeigt werden, dass sowohl die Klassenführung als auch die konstruktive Unterstützung positiv mit der sozialen Integration von Viertklässler*innen zusammenhängen und sich dies für die konstruktive Unterstützung zwischen Schüler*innen mit und ohne sonderpädagogischen Förderbedarf unterscheidet. Die Studie liefert Hinweise darauf, inwieweit Lehrkräfte durch die Gestaltung ihres Unterrichts neben Lernprozessen auch das soziale Miteinander unterstützen.

Governmental management of social housing as an element of state social policy: Bibliometric analysis

Social housing for socially vulnerable segments of the population is a significant component of governmental social policy, as it is directly linked to demographic and migration processes, socially vulnerable groups and people with special needs, poverty alleviation, social integration, and community development. The study conducts a bibliometric analysis (using VOSviewer tools) of the scientific literature on social housing policy and management. The study filtered more than 6,000 research papers indexed in the Scopus database from 1983 to 2024. The purpose was to structure the global scientific knowledge on governmental management of social housing as an element of the state’s social policy, focusing on the following directions. The first is the evolution of scientific thought. The analysis revealed a rapid growth in scientific interest starting from 1991; the earliest articles were published in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and the United States, while scholars from Spain, Mexico, and Italy joined after 2020. The second is the complexity or conversely – concentration of research networks. The top five countries by the number of works are the United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, Italy, and the United States; the most powerful research schools are in the Netherlands, Australia, and the United Kingdom; the most extensive scientific connections are held by the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France. The third is the content-thematic orientation of the research. The paper identified the predominance of works from social sciences; social housing issues are most frequently studied in connection with public health and inequality issues.

Municipal mediators as a cooperation network for the social integration of Roma community: a qualitative study

Municipal mediators as a cooperation network for the social integration of Roma community: a qualitative study

German minority in urban space of a textile manufacturing centre: The case of 19th century city of Łódź

German settlement in Poland has been the subject of numerous studies. The causes and determinants of migratory movements have been discussed extensively, while little attention has been paid to the spatial aspects of the phenomenon. The aim of this study, which is part of geographical and historical research, is to determine the size of the influx of migrants of German nationality into the rapidly developing textile production centre of Łódź in the 19th century, as well as the geographical origins and distribution of this nationality group in the urban space. These considerations are complemented by the identification of key issues related to the social integration and assimilation processes of the German minority. In the first half of the 19th century, the influx of skilled labour, almost entirely recruited from the German population, conditioned the development of the textile industry in Łódź. It also had a key influence on the demographic development of Łódź, which soon became the largest centre of textile production in Poland. In subsequent decades, there was a tendency among German immigrants towards separation in the sphere of professional and social activities, but already by the end of the 19th century the German community settled in Łódź was diverse in terms of the sense of nationality. In addition to a certain proportion of the immigrants who were already Polonised, there were persons declaring German nationality, as well as those undecided about the issue.

Guiding Ethical Decisions in Cochlear Implantation for the Hearing Impaired with Comorbid Psychosis.

AbstractCochlear implants can restore hearing in people with severe hearing loss and have a significant impact on communication, social integration, self-esteem, and quality of life. However, whether and how much clinical benefit is derived from cochlear implants varies significantly by patient and is influenced by the etiology and extent of hearing loss, medical comorbidities, and preexisting behavioral and psychosocial issues. In patients with underlying psychosis, concerns have been raised that the introduction of auditory stimuli could trigger hallucinations, worsen existing delusions, or exacerbate erratic behavior. This concern has made psychosis a relative contraindication to cochlear implant surgery. This is problematic because there is a lack of data describing this phenomenon and because the psychosocial benefits derived from improvement in auditory function may be a critical intervention for treating psychosis in some patients. The objective of this report is to provide an ethical framework for guiding clinical decision-making on cochlear implant surgery in the hearing impaired with psychosis.

Constructionilsm of Functionlism: Belom Bahadat as Legal Culture of The Dayak Community In Palangka Raya

This research examines the concept of "Belom Bahadat" as a deep legal culture in the Dayak community in Palangka Raya, using the perspective of Max Weber and Talcott Parsons. This concept not only includes formal aspects of law, but also represents ethical-religious values ​​and social integration mechanisms that are important in the life of the Dayak community. Max Weber's perspective helps us understand how "Belom Bahadat" is closely related to religious values ​​and traditional legitimacy, while Talcott Parsons' perspective highlights the role of this concept in maintaining social stability and societal cohesion. Using a qualitative approach and documentation analysis, data was collected through participant observation and in-depth interviews with members of the Dayak community. The research results show that the concept of "Belom Bahadat" not only acts as a formal legal system, but also as a cultural foundation that regulates the behavior, social interactions and life patterns of the Dayak people. The ethical-religious values ​​represented by "Belom Bahadat" have a strong influence in shaping the social order and maintaining the continuity of Dayak community culture. The conclusion of this research is that the perspectives of Max Weber and Talcott Parsons provide valuable insight in understanding the complexity of the concept of "Belom Bahadat" as the legal culture of the Dayak community in Palangka Raya. By integrating these two perspectives, we can better understand the role of values, social structures, and integration mechanisms in forming and maintaining the concept of "Belom Bahadat" in the lives of Dayak people.

Adaptation and validation the integration scale for Indonesian university students: academic and social

Student integration is a student’s ability to integrate into the social and academic systems of the university. Integration of students has been shown to affect how well they do on campus, which helps them finish higher education. The integration scale (IS) measures integration ability that meets the principle of simplicity. The integration scale is formed of 16 items divided into five aspects and two factors. This study aimed to adapt and validate IS instruments for the Indonesian university student population. The research methods complied with the six-step procedures the International Test Commission set out. A total of 309 participants were undergraduate students. They were between 17 and 23 years old (mean=19.42, SD=1.11 years), with 247 females (79.94%) and 62 males (20.06%). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a total of 16 items were valid and reliable. Three models that have acceptable fits were confirmed. The results demonstrate that the Indonesian integration scale measures undergraduate student integration with comparable precision to the original scale. This scale can identify students who require academic and social integration assistance and evaluate the institution’s role in academic development.

Examination of teachers’ opinions on lifelong learning

The modern world is moving towards a multifaceted and increasingly complex structure. In this process, it is foreseen that there will be a transition from an information society to a skills society and focus on the skills of the future. These skills are essential for each individual's personal growth, career advancement, work and social integration, and active citizenship. In this process, it is also important to develop skills such as creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, entrepreneurship, managing emotions, and decision making. In order to be successful and develop the skills of the future, it is of great importance to sustain lifelong learning and personal development. The aim of study is to determine the perceptions about lifelong learning of teachers who continue their postgraduate studies and have completed their postgraduate studies. The study is set up as a descriptive survey, which is a form of quantitative research. The data was collected by the "Lifelong Learning Scale" and with the necessary permissions was used. This scale includes 28 items aimed at the teacher's perception on lifelong learning. The sample of the study consists of 374 teachers working in Van province in the 2020-2021 academic year and selected using criterion sampling from purposeful sampling methods. The data obtained were analysed by descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage are used to evaluate the demographic characteristics of the teachers and non-parametric test applications are used in the analysis of the data. According to the study's findings, the educators who took part in it all had a favourable attitude regarding the long-term sustainability of lifelong learning and demonstrated that the social and individual consequences of lifetime learning can have a long-term impact on society. Some crucial efforts can be taken to ensure that people have the skills of the age in order to create awareness about lifelong learning in accordance with the needs of the twenty-first century. Therefore, it is essential that education systems and individuals understand the importance of lifelong learning and make it a philosophy of life.

Validation of the Persian version of the attitudes toward intellectual disability.

Attitudes toward individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are the most important factor affecting their social integration and can cause them to experience a sense of achievement or discrimination. The present study aimed to evaluate the latent factor structure and validity of the Persian version of the Attitudes toward Intellectual Disability (ATTID) Short-Form questionnaire. The latent factor structure of the Persian version of the ATTID Short-Form was established in a convenient sample of the general population (N=280) in Iran. The structural validity and temporal reliability, internal consistency and confirmatory factor analysis were evaluated. Data analysis was done with SPSS v23 Windows edition and R v4.2.1. The Persian version of the ATTID Short-Form was shown to have a five-factor structure: discomfort, knowledge of capacity, interaction, sensitivity and knowledge of cause. The structure was appropriately fit according to the fit indices (χ2(485)=530.12), (P-value=0.077). All the subscales had good temporal reliability. Findings suggest that the Persian version of the Short-Form of ATTID is a brief, valid and reliable measure that can be used in research and clinical practice.

Multilingualism and socioeconomic mobility: Analyzing the correlation in immigrant populations

This research investigates the relationship between multilingual abilities and socioeconomic mobility among immigrant populations. It evaluates how linguistic competencies influence employment opportunities, educational attainment, and social integration. The study aims to provide insights into how policymakers and educators can leverage multilingual education for economic and social inclusion. The phenomenon of multilingualism among immigrant populations has garnered significant scholarly attention due to its potential implications for socioeconomic mobility. This Review comprehensively analyzes the correlation between multilingualism and socioeconomic advancement among immigrant communities. Drawing upon various academic literature, this study aims to elucidate the nuanced relationship between language proficiency, cultural adaptation, and economic integration. The Review begins by contextualizing the importance of multilingualism in contemporary society, particularly in the context of globalization and increased migration flows. Multilingualism, defined as the ability to speak multiple languages proficiently, is posited as an asset for immigrants seeking to navigate new social and economic landscapes. Through a review of existing research, this Review examines how multilingualism influences socioeconomic mobility. Firstly, multilingual individuals often possess enhanced communication skills, enabling them to access a broader range of employment opportunities and interact effectively in diverse workplace environments. Furthermore, proficiency in multiple languages facilitates social integration and cultural adaptation, factors that are closely associated with socioeconomic success. Immigrants who can navigate linguistic and cultural barriers may experience greater social mobility and upward economic trajectories. Moreover, the Review explores the role of language in educational attainment and intergenerational mobility. Studies suggest that bilingualism and multilingualism can positively affect academic performance and cognitive development, potentially leading to improved educational outcomes for immigrant children. Additionally, language proficiency may facilitate intergenerational transmission of cultural capital and social networks, which are critical determinants of socioeconomic mobility. However, the relationship between multilingualism and socioeconomic mobility is complex and multifaceted. Factors such as language proficiency levels, language policy, and discrimination can significantly impact immigrant trajectories. Moreover, the intersectionality of language with other social identities, such as race, ethnicity, and class, necessitates a nuanced understanding of how language shapes opportunities and barriers for immigrant populations. In conclusion, this Review highlights the intricate interplay between multilingualism and socioeconomic mobility among immigrant communities. By examining the multifaceted dimensions of language proficiency, cultural adaptation, and economic integration, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors shaping immigrant experiences and pathways to success in diverse sociocultural contexts.

The gendered maths confidence gap, social influence and social integration

ABSTRACT While there is little discernible difference between girls and boys in maths competence during secondary education, on average, girls have lower confidence in their maths skills. Over time, this difference leads to gendered choices of education and occupation. Research explaining the maths confidence gap focusses on psychological factors and socialisation into stereotypical gender roles. However, how the peer context shapes the self-perception of competence and how this self-image affects social integration and popularity of girls and boys is barely understood. We analyse friendship networks and perceptions of maths confidence in Sweden and Germany to answer these questions using the CILS4EU dataset (N = 7,472) and multi-level, longitudinal network models. We find that maths confidence of girls accurately follows their maths grades and social relations have little impact on girls’ self-evaluation. Boys tend to overestimate their ability and are more susceptible to peer processes; social comparison processes inform boys’ maths confidence. This suggests that math ability is important for boys but socially irrelevant for girls. Concerning friendship choices, we find that boys and girls with higher maths confidence are often more integrated. Thus, we do not find social pressure on girls to adhere to gendered math-stereotypes – the opposite is the case.

Did COVID-19 Put Language Certificate Acquisition on Hold? Uptake and Outcomes of Language Training amongst Refugees

Most highly developed countries invest considerably in language training programmes for refugees, which are assumed to facilitate economic, social, and cultural integration. Although recent research has turned to particular patterns of host country language acquisition amongst refugees, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has hitherto remained understudied. Consequently, this article assesses changes in refugees’ uptake and outcomes of language training over the onset of the pandemic using longitudinal population data for Belgium (Flanders). Findings confirm theoretical expectations, as refugee cohorts entering the country after the onset of the pandemic exhibit lower Dutch language credentials, mostly due to lower enrolment and lower proficiency at intake for language courses. Furthermore, this study indicates that such changes are considerably weaker for highly educated and female refugees. These findings are interpreted in terms of increased vulnerability resulting from the pandemic as well as within-group diversity in potential barriers to integration in the host country.

Maintaining spatial and social order: the role of housing development in governing urban margins

This paper investigates processes of spatially ordered marginality of Roma in a former industrial town in Hungary. The analysis focuses on local poverty governance tactics and practices that aim to maintain social and spatial order through the regulation and selective displacement of Roma within the city. These practices of controlling Roma marginality are clear manifestations of the spatialization and racialization of poverty and I argue that spatial containment constitutes a new mode of poverty governance that aims to temper local tensions and cement local power. Moreover, these local policies reflect continuity from socialist era practices in terms of governing Roma marginality through disciplining and displacement. In the present context, EU-funded urban rehabilitation projects represent a vital local resource. While ostensibly targeting social integration, the local government in question has used these resources to promote the mobility of ‘deserving’ vulnerable groups and control ‘undeserving’ marginalized Roma through enclosure. Those who are seen as undeserving are racialized and subject to punitive containment while the ‘deserving’ enjoy material support and a sense of belonging to local society, provided they accept the conditions dictated by local government actors. In this way, the emphasis on individual responsibility masks the structural deficiencies of social housing and related social issues and perpetuates different forms of racism.

Social Enterprise as a Pathway to Work, Wellness, and Social Inclusion for Canadians with Mental Illnesses and/or Substance Use Disorders

People with serious and persistent mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders are among the most economically and socially disenfranchised populations in Canada, and often present with long histories of labour market detachment and underemployment. Work engagement has the potential to improve social determinants of health while also harnessing productive capacity. This article reports on a five-year study examining the social, economic, and health impacts of Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) in the mental health sector in Ontario, Canada. The findings shed light on the population that works in WISEs, its levels of social and labour market integration, and organizational features that influence worker outcomes. Results highlight both the importance of WISEs as a means of supporting employment, and challenges to organizational sustainability.

Direct and Spillover Effects: How Do Community-Based Organizations Impact the Social Integration of Passive Migrants?

With the rapid process of urbanization and constant changes in ecological environments, passive migration programs have been popularized among many governments worldwide as a prevalent adaptation strategy. Poverty alleviation resettlement (PAR) emerges as one of China’s flagship initiatives, as the government has shifted its focus from investing in villages with harsh natural conditions to the construction of centralized high-density resettlement communities in small counties and peri-urban regions. The sustainability and well-being of migrants within resettlement communities play a vitally important role in the effectiveness of this program. In line with the integration theory, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and a household survey covering 287 PAR migrant households were conducted to analyze how community-based organizations (CBOs) influence the social integration of PAR migrants. The findings are as follows: (1) Both participants and non-participants in CBOs show higher levels of neighborhood interaction, behavioral adaptation, and identity recognition. However, no significant advantage is yielded by their economic integration. (2) The mechanism of CBOs impacting the social integration of migrants varies between participants and non-participants. The social integration of those migrants participating in a CBO experience increased through cooperation-based social interaction, adherence to organizational norms, and enhanced self-efficacy. In contrast, the social integration of non-participants in CBOs within the same community results from such mechanisms as service delivery-based social interaction, social learning, and community solidarity. Therefore, this article highlights the significance attached to developing CBOs as a sustainable development strategy for passive migrants. Additionally, to better support passive migrants in eliminating poverty, governments are advised to implement sustainable economic support plans through CBOs, with a particular focus on long-term employment assistance programs.

Intellectual Deepening Influences the Development and Expression of Introversion

This scholarly investigation delves into the neurological interplay between enhanced intellectual engagement and social interaction preferences, focusing on the critical role of specific brain regions and neurotransmitter modulation. Activation patterns in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, particularly influenced by neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, are explored in relation to their impact on memory enhancement and social motivation. Elevated activity in these brain areas can enhance retention of intellectually stimulating stimuli, potentially fostering social isolation. This research elucidates the neurochemical variations that influence social engagement capacities and clarifies the underlying biological mechanisms predisposing highly intellectual individuals to favor isolation over less stimulating social interactions. This study aims to deepen the understanding of how neuroanatomical and neurochemical dynamics shape introverted behaviors and preference for solitary activities, thereby influencing social integration processes.

The effect of the dynamic capabilities' microfoundations on innovation: insights from crossing levels

PurposeMuch of the existing research conducted on dynamic capabilities and the microfoundations of innovation has focused either on individual or organizational factors without considering mechanisms. This paper aims to address this “process” gap by developing an integrated conceptual framework based on individual, processual and structural microfoundations as well as the interaction between and among them with respect to innovation.Design/methodology/approachTo understand the theoretical and empirical landscape in building our conceptual model, we conducted a content analysis of existing research microfoundations, dynamic capabilities and innovation. Using NVivo 12, we identified and examined the individual and organizational behavior microfoundations and their interplay to propose possible processual mechanisms. We framed these process mechanisms using the sensing, seizing and reconfiguring dynamic capabilities framework.FindingsThe study emphasizes certain microfoundations that facilitate innovation-dynamic capabilities at various organizational levels. It is posited that both formal and informal strategic intelligence processes, along with directed and undirected information research methods, constitute crucial microfoundations for identifying opportunities for innovation. For the internal capture and seizing of these opportunities, we assert that the diversity of individual internal networks and the mechanisms for social integration will prove to be critical. Furthermore, the paper suggests that reconfiguring microfoundations, specifically an organization’s flexible structure and the involvement of external directors with diverse experiences, are pivotal in spurring innovation.Originality/valueWe combine the microfoundations approach (individual, structural and processual) with the dynamic capabilities theory (sensing, seizing and reconfiguring) to offer an integrated conceptual framework underlying innovation’s dynamic capabilities. This sets us apart from existing research by both introducing processual aspects and their multilevel interactions.

Left-behind Children in Chinese Urban Areas

“Left-behind children” are a pronounced social issue in China. Colossal attention has been paid to left-behind children in Chinese rural areas. However, as its economy advanced, the issue also surfaced in urban areas. Compared with their rural counterparts, urban left-behind children face more complicated psychological challenges and social pressures, which have the potential to negatively affect their physical and mental growth as well as their future social integration. This article focuses on delineating the special characteristics of urban left-behind children and looking into the issues confronting them and the factors contributing to their predicament.