عنوان

Return migration during economic crisis :

Number

TLets732544

Title Proper

Return migration during economic crisis :

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Cena, Elida

Title Proper by Another Author

experiences of Albanian return migrants and their children in the quest to belong

Subsequent Statement of Responsibility

Heim, Stephan ; Trandafoiu, Ruxandra

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

Edge Hill University

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2017

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

Edge Hill University

Text preceding or following the note

2017

Text of Note

Following the social and political turmoil in many countries after the recent economic crisis, many Albanian migrants regarded a return to their 'homeland' as the best solution during a time of uncertainty. Adding to the literature on return migration, this research investigates a group of migrants, not previously studied extensively, whose return to their country of origin was triggered by the lingering economic crisis in Europe, particularly in Greece. The research explores the experiences of return migrants and their children in Albania by focusing on their (re)settlement issues, the ways they (re)construct a sense of belonging, and how their identity is impacted by these changes. Return migrants (aged 30-50 years) and their children (aged 7-18 years) participated in this research (n=51). Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with respondents aged 13 years and above, augmented by focus groups and family case studies. This research was conducted in two waves and several participants were followed up to document changes. Findings show that the economic and socio-structural constraints in the origin country and uncertainties about the future experienced by adults create barriers to their overall ability to adjust and construct a sense of belonging in Albania. The research documents further that children of return migrants experience exclusion and nonbelonging, instigating feelings of being foreigners for a second time. While children showed improvement in their socio-spatial worlds overtime; in Wave 2 adults continued to grapple with employment instability and future uncertainties. Entangled in between these experiences and a simultaneous quest to belong, the research contributes to a better understanding of return migration in times of economic crisis.

BF Psychology

JV Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration

Cena, Elida

Heim, Stephan

Trandafoiu, Ruxandra

Edge Hill University

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y