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Are we in this together? Changes in anti-immigrant sentiments during the COVID-19 pandemic
[journal article]
Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic is posing a threat to people all across the globe. According to traditional literature, threat perceptions induce anti-immigrant sentiments, as ingroup identity and self-interest are strengthened at the expense of the outgroup. In this study, we investigate whether the COVID-19... view more
The COVID-19 pandemic is posing a threat to people all across the globe. According to traditional literature, threat perceptions induce anti-immigrant sentiments, as ingroup identity and self-interest are strengthened at the expense of the outgroup. In this study, we investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic indeed increases anti-immigrant sentiments, or that this type of threat elicits other or no group related responses. We also look at whether such responses are expressed more strongly among specific subgroups in Dutch society. To do so, we use unique longitudinal panel data based on the European Values Study 2017, with a repeated measure in May 2020, during the national 'intelligent lockdown' in the Netherlands. Based on structural equation modeling, we demonstrate that anti-immigrant sentiments have not increased due to (perceived threat of) the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, negative opinions towards immigrants decreased between 2017 and 2020 in the Netherlands, for which we provide alternative explanations. Although some subgroups do experience more threat than others due to the coronavirus, such as women, first generation immigrants, and the elderly, this does not lead to more negative feelings towards outgroups. Whether this is due to the fact that individuals feel threatened by everyone, regardless of group membership, should be explored in future research.... view less
Keywords
epidemic; contagious disease; migrant; prejudice; threat; perception; stereotype; immigration
Classification
Social Psychology
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
Corona; COVID-19; Corona-Virus; anti-immigrant sentiments; threat perceptions; in- and outgroups; panel data; European Values Study 2017: Integrated Dataset (EVS 2017) (ZA7500 v3.0.0)
Document language
English
Publication Year
2022
Page/Pages
p. 203-216
Journal
International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 86 (2022)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2021.12.006
ISSN
0147-1767
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed