Social adaptation problems of elderly Afghans in the context of intersectional disadvantage: The case of Sivas

This research aims to identify the problems experienced by older Afghans during the migration process in the context of intersectional disadvantage, the level of integration between the local community and older Afghans, and the observations, opinions and experiences of professionals working in the field of migration. The research employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight elderly Afghans residing in Sivas, along with six local community members and four migration professionals (including one provincial migration specialist, two NGO staff, and one academic). The data were analysed using MAXQDA data analysis software, which identified three main themes, six sub-themes, and thirty-five codes. The text outlines three main themes: 'Migration process', 'Intersectional disadvantage', and 'Social integration'. The 'Migration process' theme is divided into two sub-themes: 'Migration experiences' and 'Professional experiences'. The 'Intersectional disadvantage' theme includes 'Consequences of intersectionality' and 'Intersectionality and experiences'. The 'Social integration' theme covers 'Social integration experiences' and 'Relations between two communities' sub-themes. The study revealed that older Afghans migrated due to safety concerns, faced numerous dangers during the migration process, and encountered challenges related to health, finances, employment, family relationships, loneliness, and adjustment after migration. The challenges faced by older Afghans in the process of migration may arise from ageing or migration, or from the intersection of ageing and migration. Moreover, although the social integration of Afghans in Sivas is comparatively better than that of Turkey as a whole, there are still some issues related to social integration in Sivas. Additionally, the relationship between the local community and Afghans is minimal. Compared to other age groups, older Afghans face greater challenges due to language barriers and weaker social ties with the local community. These findings suggest that social integration studies should include a focus on older Afghans. Keywords: Migration Process, Intersectional Disadvantage, Elderly Afghan, Social integration, Sivas.