Proactive Attitudes towards Integration and Intense Group Identification, in a Sample of the Swedish-speaking Minority of Western Finland

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate proactive attitudes towards integration and intense group identification in a sample of the Swedish-speaking minority of Western Finland. A questionnaire was completed by 298 respondents (208 females and 90 males). The mean age was 32.7 yrs (SD 13.4) for women and 28.9 yrs (SD 13.4) for males. The questionnaire included scales measuring positive attitudes towards cultural and structural efforts to enhance the situation of immigrants, openness to diversity (Phelps, Eilertsen, Türken, - Ommundsen, 2011) and intense group identification. Positive attitudes towards cultural and structural efforts to enhance integration, and openness to diversity all correlated significantly positively with each other, and negatively with intense group identification. Age did not correlate with any of the scales in the study. Females scored higher than males on the three subscales measuring proactive attitudes towards integration, and males scored significantly higher on intense group identification. Respondents with a higher educational level scored higher on cultural efforts and on openness to diversity, and significantly lower on intense group identification. Social integration efforts could be fostered by enancing prosocial traits, especially among males, and by encouraging people to study at the higher degree institutions. This could be applie not only among the Swedish-speaking Finns but also among other cultural groups in Finland and elsewhere.

Intercultural and Religious Sensitivity among Young Indonesian Interfaith Groups

“…In particular, the results of the study also revealed that women had higher mean scores than men for the construct of acceptance (M = 3.08, SD = 0.77, compared to M = 2.90, SD = 0.87 for male). This confirms the findings of Grigaitytė et al (2019), who found that women, compared to men, were more likely to be willing to invest in efforts to accept groups with different cultures. Furthermore, Grigaitytė et al (2019) also noted that the scale of proactive attitudes towards integration of women scored higher than men.…”

“…This confirms the findings of Grigaitytė et al (2019), who found that women, compared to men, were more likely to be willing to invest in efforts to accept groups with different cultures. Furthermore, Grigaitytė et al (2019) also noted that the scale of proactive attitudes towards integration of women scored higher than men. This shows that the higher female ethnorelative degree is related to prosocial traits.…”

Social Integration and Attitudes towards the Integration of Immigrants in Relation to Witnessing Domestic Aggression

“…Sex differences in the four scales measuring social integration (Access to Social Benefits, Satisfaction with the Neighborhood, Positive Social Relations, and Trust in the Finnish Judiciary System) have been reported elsewhere (Grigaitytė et al, 2020) and will accordingly not be reported here. Sex differences in the three scales measuring proactive attitudes towards the integration of immigrants (Cultural Efforts, Structural Efforts, and Openness to Diversity) have likewise been reported elsewhere (Grigaitytė et al, 2019).…”

“…Proactive attitudes towards the integration of immigrants were assessed with three subscales measuring Cultural Efforts required to facilitate the integration of immigrants (7 items, α = .82); Structural Efforts required for the same purpose (8 items, α = .86); and Openness to Diversity (6 items, α = .89). The scales are based on an instrument developed by Phelps, Eilertsen, Türken, and Ommundsen (2011), and specifically adapted and pilot tested for use in this study (see Grigaitytė, Österman, Björkqvist, 2019). The subscales are presented in detail, including all items, in Grigaitytė et al (2019).…”

“…The scales are based on an instrument developed by Phelps, Eilertsen, Türken, and Ommundsen (2011), and specifically adapted and pilot tested for use in this study (see Grigaitytė, Österman, Björkqvist, 2019). The subscales are presented in detail, including all items, in Grigaitytė et al (2019). Some sample items are presented in brackets in the following: Cultural Efforts ("Finnish people should not let their own culture be influenced by immigrants", "Finnish people should be more open and welcoming toward the customs of ethnic minorities"); Structural Efforts ("Immigrants cannot expect that public services are tailored for them", "Laws and rules should be adjusted so that it is easier for immigrants to feel integrated in society"); and Openness to Diversity ("People with other cultural backgrounds enrich the Finnish society", "It is a positive thing to have ethnic minority cultures in Finland").…”