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Specifics and Factors of Social Adaptation and Integration of Migrants in Russian Border Regions
The paper presents a theoretical and sociological analysis of social adaptation and integration of migrants. We turn to the classical model of acculturation, consider the types of adaptation, and focus on analyzing the essence of social adaptation to determine the processes of adaptation and integration of migrants. Recently, Russia has seen an increase in migration. The majority of migrants arriving in Russia are CIS citizens. We conducted several sociological studies and interviewed 449 foreign migrants in 2018–2019. The research results emphasize the integration tendencies of migrants. They strive to integrate into Russian society, obey laws, observe behavior rules, and honor values. Howey, they also continue to honor the traditions and values of their culture. We also emphasize the importance of migrants’ social capital. The presence of social connections and migrant communities determines migration and contributes to adaptation and integration. The factor model has shown that a considerable role in the social integration of migrants in Russia is played by (1) language proficiency, (2) the activities of public organizations to protect the rights of migrants, (3) the health of the migrants, and (4) relationships with the local population, in particular, colleagues and employers.