From Identity Integration to Civic Integration: A Multidimensional Framework of Integration to Unveil Pathways to Civic Engagement Through the Global Perspective

Using data from the World Values Survey Wave 7, this study takes the global perspective and explores the connection between identity integration and civic integration among immigrants within a multidimensional integration framework. The findings reveal a significant impact of identity integration on social activism and a weaker effect on political participation. This variation in the impact on social activism and political participation highlights that identity does not exert an equal influence across different forms of civic engagement. The nature of the global perspective enhances the external validity of the results, providing insights applicable to immigrant populations across divergent receiving contexts. Moreover, the global perspective shows how region and country-level institutional factors largely shape the link between identity and civic integration. The impact of identity integration on civic engagement is weaker for immigrants in the Middle East/Africa/Oceania than for those in North America, highlighting the influence of regional context. The link between identity integration and social activism is also stronger in countries with greater freedom, indicating that a robust link between identity integration and civic integration is more attainable in societies with enhanced institutional liberties. Conversely, the lack of significance in the impact on political participation suggests a nuanced interplay of factors, encompassing intricate institutional structures and legal frameworks. These findings have strong policy implications. By recognizing identity integration’s role as well as the importance of institutional factors as the moderators between identity and civic integration, interventions can promote belonging or improve institutional freedom, bolstering civic engagement.