MELTING IN THE MELTING POT: THE ACCULTURATION EXPERIENCE OF THE AHISKA TURKS IN THE US

This study investigates the acculturation levels of the Ahiska Turks living in the US. The sample of the survey consisted of 124 Ahiska Turks (n(female) = 61 and n(male) = 63). The Abbreviated Multidimensional Acculturation Scale (AMAS-ZABB) was employed to measure the significance of age, marital status, education, employment, length of stay, and language competence in the acculturation process. The findings revealed that, similar to literature data, age, marital status, and language competence were significant, but education, employment, and length of stay were not significant among the Ahiska Turks in contrast with the literature data. The findings were discussed within the framework of the existing literature and suggestions for future research were put forward.