The Role of Perceived Discrimination in the Sustainable Cultural Adaptation Process of Immigrants: The Mediating Effect of Social Support Mechanisms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17624158Keywords:
Immigrants,, Cultural Adaptation,, Perceived Discrimination,, Social SupportAbstract
This study aims to examine the relationship between perceived discrimination and social support mechanisms in the cultural adaptation process of immigrant individuals, and to reveal the mediating role of social support within this relationship. The research analyzes the impact of cultural adaptation on perceived discrimination and the extent to which social support mechanisms mediate this effect. Based on findings in the literature indicating that discrimination negatively affects the adaptation process of immigrants, while social support plays a protective role in their psychological and social adjustment, a theoretical model was proposed.
The research was conducted in 2025 using a quantitative research design on immigrants living in Istanbul. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, and a total of 395 valid responses were analyzed using SPSS. In the study, cultural adaptation was defined as the independent variable, perceived discrimination as the dependent variable, and multidimensional perceived social support as the mediating variable. The measurement instruments employed in the data collection tool were adapted from previously validated scales in the literature.
As a result of correlation and regression analyses, it was found that cultural adaptation significantly and negatively predicts perceived discrimination (H1); that there is a positive and significant relationship between cultural adaptation and social support mechanisms (H2); and that higher levels of social support are associated with lower levels of perceived discrimination (H3). Furthermore, hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that social support mechanisms have a partial mediating effect on the relationship between cultural adaptation and perceived discrimination (H4), thus supporting the proposed mediation model.
This thesis makes a significant contribution to the existing literature by presenting a comprehensive examination of the interactions between cultural adaptation, perceived discrimination, and social support among immigrants. It also offers practical recommendations for policymakers aiming to develop effective social support and integration programs to reduce discrimination perceptions and foster cultural adaptation among immigrant populations.
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