High-skilled labour migration from a sociology of emotions perspective

This study, which focuses on the construction of migration as an emotional experience, aims to understand the emotions that affect the migration process of high-skilled migrants and how these actors manage these emotions by intersecting the sociology of emotions with the sociology of migration. In this context, the study attempts to explore the emotional dimension of living as a transnational migrant through the lens of actors themselves, by examining how the experiences of high-skilled migrants are shaped by emotions such as fear, anxiety, happiness, loneliness, longing, nostalgia, guilt, and compassion, taking into account their emotional assessments in daily life. Following a qualitative methodology, the data for this research were collected through semi-structured online in-depth interviews conducted with 44 high-skilled migrants (25 women and 19 men) who had migrated from Türkiye to Australia, Germany, Spain and the United States, and reached through snowball sampling. The data obtained were analyzed using a basic qualitative research design, and reported. When the findings of the study are evaluated, it becomes evident that the fundamental emotions underlying the migration decision of high-skilled migrants from Türkiye are insecurity and futurelessness. Economic conditions in Türkiye, restrictions on personal freedoms, urban safety concerns, and feelings of distrust toward institutions are among the key motivations pushing migrants to make the decision to migrate. After migration, migrants struggle with emotions such as loneliness, longing, uncertainty, and anxiety that come with starting a new life. Furthermore, the pressure to adapt to their new country while meeting the expectations of those left behind, along with the obligation to succeed, creates an emotional burden. High-skilled migrants who develop various strategies to cope with these emotional challenges are able to enhance their life satisfaction and look to the future with greater hope by building social networks that help them feel safe and have a sense of belonging in their new lives.