Drooge, Enya Y. van (2024) DUTCH RETIREMENT MIGRATION: EXPLORING EFFECTS OF PRE-MIGRATION EXPERIENCES ON ADJUSTMENT AND SENSE OF BELONGING. Master thesis.
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Abstract
International retirement migration is an increasing concern to social scientists due to the anticipated increase in migration led by changes in today’s retirement cohort. Establishing a sense of belonging is a crucial condition for positive ageing, but immigrants face challenges of uncertain belongingness. Migration at elder ages mitigates against a rapid assimilation process due to the absence of the imperatives related to work and schooling. Using linear regression analyses and the KHB method on cross-sectional survey data (N = 5,015), the relationship between pre-migration experiences and sense of belonging is examined with adjustment after migration as a mediator. This study not only describes the impact of prior migration experiences in and with the destination country on the adjustment shortly after migration of Dutch retirement migrants, but also explores how this impact relates to long-term sense of belonging variations. The results demonstrate that having adequate pre-migration experiences may help to overcome adjustment difficulties which enhances the belongingness. Dutch retirement migrants participate in less pre-migration experiences than expected, but their adjustment and sense of belonging in the destination country remain satisfactory. Migrants who did engage in previous visits and preparation for migration tend to feel a stronger sense of belonging, with adjustment shortly after migration partially mediating this relationship. Interventions aiming to raise belongingness should focus on improving migrants’ ability to adjust to new life circumstances, where policymakers and tourism marketers should lead in promoting their destinations. Further research is needed to explore different national contexts and receiving countries’ perspectives.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Population Studies |
| Supervisor: | Wiel, R. van der |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Jan 2025 09:08 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Jan 2025 09:08 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4813 |
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