Phenomenological Experiences of Changes in Afghan Migrants’ Lifestyle and Identity in Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research

Author

University of Religions and Denominations

10.22034/sls.2025.69139.1582

Abstract

This study examines the lived experience of the Afghan diaspora in Iran with a phenomenological approach, focusing on lifestyle and identity changes. Over the past four decades, the extensive migration to Iran under the influence of political and security developments in Afghanistan has created profound challenges in the field of their identity and lifestyle. This study collected data until theoretical saturation through ten in-depth interviews with educated Afghan migrants using a purposeful sampling method and ensured the reliability and validity of the analysis with the methods of Berking and participatory rereading. The findings are presented in the form of four main themes: “inter-identity and cultural confusion”, which indicates a conflict among the migrants in belonging to Afghan or Iranian culture; “efforts to maintain Afghan identity”, which reflects resistance to full integration and loyalty to ethnic roots such as the Hazara identity; “partial adaptation and lifestyle redefinition” that shows the selective adoption of Iranian norms such as dress and accent; and finally, “the impact of cultural differences on social relations” that highlights cultural barriers to establishing deep relationships with Iranian society. These findings are in line with Berry’s cultural adaptation theory and Tajfel and Turner’s theory of social identity.

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Main Subjects

Journal of Sociology of Lifestyle (SLS)

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 30 December 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 October 2025
  • Revise Date: 08 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 30 December 2025
  • Publish Date: 30 December 2025

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