Child and Family Welfare Regimes and Policies in the Context of Migration, Multiculturalism, and Cultural Diversity

A special issue of Societies (ISSN 2075-4698).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 2447

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Demography, Institute for Population and Human Studies–Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: fertility and family studies; sociology of family; social demography; adolescent health; research methods in social sciences
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The welfare states are faced with numerous challenges in recent times, which have been characterised by intensive migration, economic uncertainty, wars and conflicts, and climate change, all coming in the wake of population displacement and increasing needs for the social integration and protection of children and families with minority status or ethnic origin, or with different social backgrounds and cultural belonging. The social fragmentation of societies presents families with a range of challenges in terms of access to welfare, the protection of (social) rights, social integration and inclusion, identity politics, and the recognition of cultural diversity. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide new insights into the arrangements and challenges of child and family welfare regimes and policies in times of multiculturalism, migration, and “mixing populations”, as well as social risks and the fragmentation of the societies, the recognition of and resistance to cultural diversity, emerging fluid identities, and ethnocentric backlash. Theoretical and empirical papers that explore the challenges faced in terms of welfare provision for families and children with different (ethnic) origins, minority status, and in precarious situations; challenges to social protection systems in times of war and climate-driven migration movements; child protection and social services addressing the needs of at-risk children and families; childcare provision and parental leave arrangements for families with different backgrounds; the protection of social rights, social inclusion, and integration policies for families from diverse backgrounds.

Topics:

  • Child and family welfare regimes and policies in conditions of migration, multiculturalism, and cultural diversity;
  • The social integration and social inclusion of families from diverse backgrounds;
  • The social rights and social protection of families and children from disadvantaged backgrounds;
  • Family support and social services for at-risk families and children;
  • Childcare and parental leave arrangements for mothers and fathers from diverse backgrounds.

In this Special Issue, contributions should adhere to one of three categories of paper—article, conceptual paper, or review, and should address the topic of the Special Issue.

Dr. Elitsa Dimitrova
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • child and family welfare regimes
  • child and family policy
  • migration
  • multiculturalism
  • cultural diversity
  • social protection
  • children’s rights
  • ethnicity
  • minority status
  • cultural identity
  • social inclusion
  • social integration of children and families from diverse backgrounds
  • family support
  • child(care) and family services
  • parental leave arrangements

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 286 KB  
Article
The Welfare of Refugee Children in Bulgarian Society in the Context of State Policies and Public Attitudes
by Albena Ilieva Nakova and Valentina Georgieva Milenkova
Societies 2026, 16(5), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc16050141 - 24 Apr 2026
Viewed by 383
Abstract
In recent years, the escalation of international and internal conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa and Bulgaria’s geographical location, which places it on the route of those seeking protection from these regions in Europe, has led to a significant increase in [...] Read more.
In recent years, the escalation of international and internal conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa and Bulgaria’s geographical location, which places it on the route of those seeking protection from these regions in Europe, has led to a significant increase in the number of refugee children arriving in Bulgaria. According to Eurostat data, Bulgaria ranks fourth in terms of the number of unaccompanied refugee children in the European Union. In this article, the possibilities for achieving the welfare of refugee children and their successful integration into society are considered as a result of the intersection of two main trends—state legislation and public policies aimed at guaranteeing the best interests of refugee children, and public opinion about refugee children, which, in some cases, cause the failure of positive state measures and policies. The data on public attitudes towards refugee children used here are the result of an empirical study conducted in 2021 by the authors of this article. The results show that while state legislation and public policies are evolving towards ensuring the best interests of the child, the same cannot be said for public attitudes and the distance that the local population demonstrates towards refugee children. Full article
21 pages, 290 KB  
Article
Immigrant Status, Family Support, and Psychoactive Substance Use Among Adolescents: A Multilevel Analysis of the Cross-National HBSC Study Data
by Elitsa Dimitrova and Apolinaras Zaborskis
Societies 2026, 16(3), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc16030100 - 21 Mar 2026
Viewed by 794
Abstract
Background: Immigrant adolescents experience distinct risk and protective factors related to substance use; however, cross-national differences between immigrant and native-born youth remain insufficiently understood. This study examines differences in the prevalence of psychoactive substance use between immigrant and non-immigrant 15-year-old adolescents and assesses [...] Read more.
Background: Immigrant adolescents experience distinct risk and protective factors related to substance use; however, cross-national differences between immigrant and native-born youth remain insufficiently understood. This study examines differences in the prevalence of psychoactive substance use between immigrant and non-immigrant 15-year-old adolescents and assesses the protective role of family support across Europe, Central Asia, and North America. Materials and Methods: Data were drawn from nationally representative samples of the 2021/2022 WHO Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, including 15-year-olds from 32 countries, representing Belgium by two separate regions (n = 66,400). Outcomes included cigarette smoking, electronic cigarette use, alcohol consumption, drunkenness, and cannabis use in the past 30 days. Key predictors were immigrant status and family support. Multilevel analyses incorporated country-level indicators, including the proportion of immigrant youth and the Inclusiveness Index, and were adjusted for sex and family affluence. Results: Substantial cross-national variation in substance use prevalence was observed. Immigrant adolescents were more likely to smoke cigarettes, use electronic cigarettes, and use cannabis, whereas alcohol consumption was more common among non-immigrant adolescents. However, in countries with a low proportion of immigrant youth (<5%), immigrant adolescents showed an elevated likelihood of engaging in all forms of psychoactive substance use, including alcohol consumption. Low family support emerged as the strongest and most consistent predictor of substance use across all outcomes. Conclusions: Immigrant adolescents living in countries with low immigration rates constitute a particularly vulnerable group facing increased risk of substance use. Family support is protective against adolescent substance use for both immigrant and non-immigrant youth, with the strongest effect for alcohol use in low-immigration contexts. Full article
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