A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Identity and Belonging: Emotional Assimilation in Two Immigrant Communities in Germany




AuthorsHansen Michael A., Olsen Jonathan

PublisherSpringer

Publication year2023

JournalJournal of International Migration and Integration

Journal name in sourceJournal of International Migration and Integration

eISSN1874-6365

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-023-01035-7

Web address https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12134-023-01035-7

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/179500803


Abstract

In this article, we analyze emotional assimilation (host country identification) within Germany’s two largest immigrant communities—ethnic Germans from the former Soviet Union and those German citizens with an ethnic Turkish migration background. Specifically, we investigate the strength of emotional assimilation among these two communities and the differences that might exist between them. To what degree have these two large immigrant communities cultivated a sense of host country identification or German national identity? What factors shape emotional assimilation in these two communities? We find that ethnic German citizens with a background from the former Soviet Union have a stronger German identity than do citizens with a Turkish background. Nevertheless, the difference between these two groups is substantively small, perhaps because the transformation of immigration rules, citizenship laws, integration policies, and social norms in Germany over the last two decades has led to a greater identification with Germany and its emerging multicultural society.


Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.





Last updated on 2025-27-03 at 21:47