Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.11567/met.40.2.7

Understanding Attitudes Towards Refugees: The Role of Origin and Shared Social Identity

Margareta Jelić orcid.org/0000-0002-2478-0756 ; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb *
Ena Uzelac orcid.org/0000-0001-5104-2612 ; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The public’s attitude towards pro-refugee policies and the willingness to help refugees largely depend on the specific context of the receiving country. An important factor behind these various attitudes is the degree of identification with refugees, influenced by the similarity of cultural and ethnic identity, as well as by the degree of identification with their refugee experience. In this regard, Croatia is specific because memories of the 1991–1995 war and the refugee experience are still very vivid and frame intergroup relations. We conducted two online studies in Croatia to examine the perception of refugees among Croats. In Study 1 (N=290), we investigated attitudes towards Middle Eastern refugees, willingness to help them, and support for pro-refugee policies. In Study 2 (N=183), we examined the same constructs but focused on refugees from Ukraine. In both studies, the participants were aged between 18 and 63 years, with a higher proportion of female participants. The results of Study 1 revealed a neutral attitude towards Middle Eastern refugees and a lack of prosocial intentions. However, the results of Study 2 indicated a notably positive attitude towards Ukrainian refugees, fair support for pro-refugee policies, and moderate willingness to personally help them. In both studies, regression analyses confirmed that inclusive victim consciousness and empathy were positive predictors of attitudes and prosocial intentions towards refugees, while prejudice towards refugees was a negative predictor. National identification emerged as a relevant positive predictor only when it comes to helping Ukrainian refugees. The results are discussed from the perspective of social categorisation theory, social identity, and the dominant narrative about past collective experiences and the current refugee situation. We also discuss the importance of media, competent authorities, and public policies throughout the crisis in shaping people’s attitudes and prosocial intentions towards refugees.

Keywords

refugees; attitudes; prosocial intentions; social identity

Hrčak ID:

327881

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/327881

Publication date:

31.12.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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