Transformation of cultural values and behavioral practices among migrants in Sweden: a communicative perspective

Abstract

Increasing mobility of the world’s population, growth of immigration flows, and relative distribution of immigrant population around the globe make it necessary to strive for s deeper understanding of cultural change occurring in migrants. The study aims to collect micro-experiences of immigrants from the three selected countries (the Russian Federation, Iran and the People’s Republic of China) who live in Sweden. The study has the goal to examine how transformation of cultural values and behavioral practices takes place. For that purpose nineteen in-depth interviews are conducted. Analysis of the qualitative data is done through a combination of deductive and inductive approaches. Features of cultural transformations, their causes and circumstances are presented, and further analysis in correspondence with the theoretical framework of the study is done. The data of the study supports a non-linear model of acculturation, which considers cultural transformation as a reversible process. This study reveals that acculturation may be seen as an undulation process with regard to the residence time of immigrants and the width and depth of communication with the host society. Several hypotheses stimulating and restraining cultural transformation are suggested. And recommendations for future research are provided.