An examination of the quality of life of migrants living in Türkiye
Muzaffer BimayPurpose
This study aims to determine the quality of life (QoL) of immigrants residing in the big cities of Türkiye and to identify the variables affecting their QoL. The research was conducted in Sanliurfa, Mersin, Van, Trabzon, Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara – cities with high immigrant populations across seven regions of Türkiye. Considering immigrants as a disadvantaged group, migrants face greater challenges in accessing urban resources, and their permanence in cities affects their adaptation.
Design/methodology/approach
The correlational model, a quantitative research method, was used in the research. This method is used to investigate whether there is a relationship between two or more variables. Two data collection tools were used within the scope of the research. The first of these is the personal information form prepared by the research, which reveals the demographic characteristics of the immigrants. The other is the Turkish version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF-TR). The target universe of the research consists of migrants residing in 81 provinces of Türkiye. The accessible universe of the research consists of migrants in the provinces of Sanliurfa, Mersin, Van, Trabzon, Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara, which represent seven regions of Türkiye. Data analyses were obtained using SPSS (26) and AMOS (26) programs. SPSS was used for frequency analyses, reliability analyses and screening analyses; AMOS was used for DFA.
Findings
The findings revealed that the QoL of immigrants varies significantly according to health status education level, age and marital status. The research findings revealed that male immigrants have higher QoL scores than females. Young people have higher QoL scores than elderly people. Those with higher education levels have higher QoL scores than those with lower education, and single or divorced individuals have higher QoL scores than married immigrants.
Research limitations/implications
First, the study’s results are based on an average score, which may change over time because of socio-economic fluctuations in Türkiye. Second, the cross-sectional design of the study does not allow for causal relationships between variables, so the findings should be evaluated at a relational level. Third, the study was conducted in specific metropolitan cities, limiting the generalizability of the results to the whole country. Fourth, the sample size of 702 may not accurately represent the large immigrant population, which is around 4 million according to official figures. Fifth, the scale used may have excluded specific or contextual dimensions of individuals’ QoL, such as sexual life.
Practical implications
Practical implications include developing more diverse, need-specific and interest-based social support programs for elderly and married migrant groups; expanding the education mobilization; and providing treatment for those who are sick. It is recommended to repeat the study with a larger sample group using quantitative and qualitative methods.
Social implications
The findings also reveal that migrants who settled in cities, especially as a result of forced mass migration, cannot benefit sufficiently from the social and economic resources of the cities. It has been observed that this situation creates differences in the sub-dimensions of QoL in line with individual variables such as education level, marital status, age and health problems.
Originality/value
Examining the QoL of immigrants living in cities will contribute to the determination of the general situation of this group, increase solution approaches to their problems and shed light on future migration plans. In this context, it is evaluated that the study makes an original contribution to the migration literature.