Social capital of internally displaced persons as a factor of local integration in Ukraine
This paper deals with the analysis of bridging and bonding social capital among internally displacedwomen from Lugansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine. With regard to the research hypotheses, author investigateswhich form of social capital is a factor forbetter local integration in the new place of residence. Secondary analysisof the study «Needs Assessment of Internally Displaced Women and Elderly People in Ukraine» (conducted by theUkrainian Institute for Social Research named after O. Yaremenko) wasperformed.
The degree of local integrationwas measured in terms of perceived stigma from host communities. Forms of social capital were measured as aperception which social ties would be the most helpful for human rights protection. Bonding social capital is apriority strong ties (friends, relatives, family members), and bridging social capital is a priority of relations withinpolitical and civil society organizations. Multivariate logistic regression was applied. According to the results, oddsof perceived stigma from host community are higher among women mainly relying on bonding social capital, suchas kinship and friendship ties (OR = 1,53, 95% CI: 1,14–2,05); whereas such odds are lower among women mainlyrelying on bridging social capital, such asties within civic and political organizations (OR 0,61, 95% CI: 0,45–0,83). The likelihood of perceived stigma in the host community increases in case of leaving Donbass region (ifmoved to the East region: OR = 1,64, 95% CI: 1,13–2,39; if another region:OR = 1,60, 95% CI: 1,07–2,35) and incase of more than two altered habitats during resettlement (OR 1,48, 95% CI: 1,10–2,01).
It was noted that bridgingsocial capital is an important factor of social integration and adaptation among internally displaced persons. It isimportant to develop regular monitoring of desired durable solutions and to ensure participation of internallydisplaced persons in planning and managing of relevant programs.
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