The Ambivalent Role of Perceived Low Cultural Distance in Acculturation—A Case of Ukrainian Migrants in Poland: A Qualitative Study

StatusVoR
Simple item page
dc.abstract.enThis study examines the role of perceived low cultural distance in the acculturation process of Ukrainian women (aged 22–31) who voluntarily migrated to Poland prior to 2019. Through qualitative analysis of 17 in-depth interviews, we explored how perceived cultural similarity between Poland and Ukraine is associated with the experiences of these migrants. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we found that while a perceived low cultural distance is associated with a sense of familiarity that may ease certain aspects of acculturation, it does not fully mitigate sociocultural challenges and acculturative stress these women experience. A notable and novel finding is the identification of the phenomenon we propose to call the “Minimization trap,” a theme suggesting that cultural and linguistic differences may be downplayed, potentially complicating sociocultural adaptation and psychological adjustment. Despite perceived similarity, significant cultural differences were reported, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such as intercultural training and language acquisition support. Our findings stress the importance of culturally sensitive policies that recognize both the opportunities and challenges associated with low cultural distance in the acculturation process.
dc.affiliationWydział Psychologii
dc.affiliationWydział Psychologii w Warszawie
dc.affiliationInstytut Psychologii
dc.contributor.authorBaran, Maria
dc.contributor.authorBoczkowska, Marta
dc.contributor.authorHamer, Katarzyna
dc.contributor.authorGórecka, Maria
dc.contributor.authorMazurowska, Karolina
dc.contributor.authorHekiert-Małozięć, Daniela
dc.contributor.authorGrzymała - Moszczyńska, Halina
dc.date.access2026-04-24
dc.date.accessioned2026-04-24T06:21:44Z
dc.date.available2026-04-24T06:21:44Z
dc.date.created2025
dc.date.issued2026-03
dc.description.abstract<jats:p>This study examines the role of perceived low cultural distance in the acculturation process of Ukrainian women (aged 22–31) who voluntarily migrated to Poland prior to 2019. Through qualitative analysis of 17 in-depth interviews, we explored how perceived cultural similarity between Poland and Ukraine is associated with the experiences of these migrants. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we found that while a perceived low cultural distance is associated with a sense of familiarity that may ease certain aspects of acculturation, it does not fully mitigate sociocultural challenges and acculturative stress these women experience. A notable and novel finding is the identification of the phenomenon we propose to call the “Minimization trap,” a theme suggesting that cultural and linguistic differences may be downplayed, potentially complicating sociocultural adaptation and psychological adjustment. Despite perceived similarity, significant cultural differences were reported, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such as intercultural training and language acquisition support. Our findings stress the importance of culturally sensitive policies that recognize both the opportunities and challenges associated with low cultural distance in the acculturation process.</jats:p>
dc.description.accesstimeat_publication
dc.description.issue2
dc.description.physical316-345
dc.description.sdgGoodHealthAndWellBeing
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume57
dc.identifier.doi10.1177/00220221251387706
dc.identifier.eissn1552-5422
dc.identifier.issn0022-0221
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2314
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00220221251387706
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationpsychologia
dc.pbn.affiliationnauki socjologiczne
dc.rightsClosedAccess
dc.rights.questionNo_rights
dc.share.articleOTHER
dc.subject.encultural distance
dc.subject.enminimization trap
dc.subject.enpsychological adaptation
dc.subject.ensociocultural adaptation
dc.subject.enqualitative study
dc.subject.enacculturation
dc.subject.enmigration
dc.subject.enreflexive thematic analysis
dc.swps.sciencecloudsend
dc.titleThe Ambivalent Role of Perceived Low Cultural Distance in Acculturation—A Case of Ukrainian Migrants in Poland: A Qualitative Study
dc.title.journalJournal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle