Integrative Framework for Understanding (Im)mobility Across Geographical Contexts

Abstract In this article, we present an i ntegrative analytical framework for understanding (im)mobility across different geographical and thematic contexts. We contend that previous literature on (im)mobility has underplayed the psychosocial mechanisms underlying perceived capabilities and aspiration formation. Our framework combines structural transition theory and the sustainable livelihoods approach to contextualise livelihood conditions and integrates the theory of planned behaviour with the aspiration–capability framework to analyse how structural and contextual conditions interact with participants’ agency in forming (im)mobility aspirations through psychosocial processing across attitudinal, normative and behavioural control‐related domains. To illustrate the framework’s applicability, our comparative study involves distinct cases and uses qualitative data from 100 semi‐structured interviews to analyse and compare the immobility situations of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, university graduates in Ghana, rural farmers in India and smallholders in Zambia. Alongside variegated contextual factors, psychosocial factors were identified as key mediating drivers of immobility.