Migration, Refugees and Social Integration: Attitudes, Policies and Methodological Approaches

In recent decades, and particularly in the last few years, international migration and refugee flows have intensified, posing significant social, political, and policy challenges for host societies. A central issue within the broader migration debate concerns the attitudes and behaviors of host populations toward migrants and refugees, especially in relation to their long-term residence and social integration. Social integration constitutes a core objective of contemporary migration and asylum policies and remains a decisive factor for social cohesion and societal stability. This Research Topic invites original contributions that critically examine key dimensions of migrant and refugee social integration, with particular emphasis on the attitudes, perceptions, and responses of host societies. Submissions may explore theoretical and empirical perspectives on perceived threats associated with migration, as extensively discussed in international literature, including economic, cultural, and security-related concerns. Analyses addressing racism, xenophobia, social distance, solidarity, and intergroup contact are especially encouraged, as these factors play a crucial role in shaping public attitudes toward migrants and refugees. An additional focus concerns the extent to which host society attitudes vary according to migrants’ cultural backgrounds and countries of origin. Contributions are also invited to address the models of integration preferred by host societies, including multicultural, intercultural, and assimilation-oriented approaches, particularly in light of the expectation that migration flows toward Western countries will persist in the foreseeable future. Equally important is the examination of migrants’ and refugees’ own expectations, aspirations, and attitudes toward settlement in host countries. Submissions may investigate whether asylum seekers and refugees intend to remain in the country of first reception and identify the factors influencing this decision, such as employment opportunities, quality of life, and the broader socio-economic and political context of the host country. From a policy perspective, this Research Topic seeks to advance evidence-based discussions and contextualized case studies on the design and implementation of integration strategies at national, regional, and local levels. Particular attention is given to policy developed at local and regional levels that have proven positive results on measures capable of mitigating negative attitudes on both sides and enhancing positive interactions, thereby promoting social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. Empirical studies are particularly welcome, although high-quality theoretical contributions are also encouraged. Research may be conducted at the national level or, preferably, at the regional and local levels, which are increasingly recognized as critical arenas for the effective implementation of integration policies. Methodologically, this Research Topic places special emphasis on quantitative approaches, aiming to strengthen their presence in sociological research, where qualitative methods have traditionally dominated. Nonetheless, qualitative studies and mixed-methods research combining quantitative and qualitative techniques are also strongly encouraged. The central challenge in the migration context concerns the effective social integration of foreign migrants and refugees, particularly in light of the recurrent large-scale inflows into Western countries—flows that are likely to persist as long as the international geopolitical environment remains unstable and global social inequalities not only fail to diminish but continue to deepen, disproportionately affecting less advantaged countries. Equally significant is the perspective of migrants and refugees themselves, particularly regarding their willingness to remain in the country of (first) reception. This decision is shaped by a wide range of cultural, social, and economic factors that influence both short- and long-term settlement trajectories. Identifying policies capable of fostering the conditions necessary for successful social integration and harmonious coexistence between migrants/refugees and host communities—while mitigating negative attitudes on both sides—represents the anticipated outcome of the present Research Topic. Ultimately, this effort seeks to contribute, insofar as possible, to the alleviation of what is commonly referred to as the contemporary “migration crisis.”This effort seeks to contribute, insofar as possible, to the alleviation of what is commonly referred to as the contemporary “migration crisis” by systematically analyzing and explaining the attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors of host societies toward immigrants and refugees, as well as those of immigrants and refugees toward host societies, across both national and local contexts. The invited contributions are expected, though not limited, to address the following research questions: • What attitudes do host societies hold toward foreign immigrants and refugees? • Which economic, social, cultural, and political factors shape these attitudes? • What is the role of social distance in the formation of positive or negative attitudes toward foreigners? • Do attitudes differ according to immigrants’ or refugees’ countries of origin or cultural backgrounds? • Are there differences in attitudes among the population based on age, income level, political ideology, or whether people live in urban or rural areas?• Does depopulation affect the attitudes that develop toward newly arrived immigrant populations? • Do attitudes vary between areas of first reception and areas of long-term or final settlement? • Can we identify a differentiated North-South reception model?• To what extent do perceived threats associated with immigrants and refugees influence attitudes within host societies, and which theoretical frameworks of perceived threat are applicable in specific contexts? • Which models of social integration are preferred by host societies (e.g., multicultural, intercultural, or assimilation-oriented approaches)? • What are the attitudes and perceptions of immigrants and refugees toward destination societies? • What factors primarily shape these attitudes? • What expectations do immigrants and refugees hold regarding destination countries (e.g., employment opportunities, educational advancement, improved quality of life)? • Do linguistic and cultural differences between host societies and immigrants/refugees play a decisive role in the integration process? • Which policies are most effective in reducing negative attitudes on both sides and fostering successful social integration and harmonious coexistence between immigrants/refugees and host societies? • What is the role of regional and local authorities, as well as other local actors and institutions, in facilitating social integration? Topic editors: Kostas Rontos, Ricardo Iglesias-Pascual, Federico Benassi, Pavlos Baltas Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78737/migration-refugees-and-social-integration-attitudes-policies-and-methodological-approaches