Transnational and Local Co-ethnic Social Ties as Coping Mechanisms Against Perceived Discrimination - A Study on the Life Satisfaction of Turkish and Moroccan Minorities in the Netherlands

Abstract

Perceived ethnic discrimination is known to decrease minorities’ life satisfaction. This research investigates the extent to which minorities’ local and transnational co-ethnic social ties mitigate the negative effects of perceived discrimination on life satisfaction. Put differently, focusing on the experiences of Turkish and Moroccan minorities, we discuss whether co-ethnic social ties, both locally and transnationally embedded, can be considered as coping mechanisms against perceived discrimination. Furthermore, we investigate whether these mechanisms work differently for first- and second-generation minorities. Using Netherlands Longitudinal Life-course Study, we reveal that perceived discrimination is positively associated with local co-ethnic social ties in Netherlands which consequently predicts higher life satisfaction for both generations. Surprisingly, we also show that only among the second generation perceived discrimination is associated with stronger transnational co-ethnic social ties, but not the first generation. Having these transnational ties however are beneficial for life satisfaction of both generations. Consequently, we highlight the importance of recognizing transnational embeddedness of minorities and studying the effects transnational co-ethnic social ties on subjective well-being outcomes especially for second-generation minorities.

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“…In other words, involvement in the online networks of their ethnic group allows them to increase their sense of belonging with their ethnic group and to receive support from co-ethnics. Previous studies have found that when ethnic minorities in offline context are faced with discrimination, they may feel excluded from the majority group and turn more towards their ethnic group for support (Berry et al, 2006;Berry & Sabatier, 2010;Arat & Bilgili, 2021).…”

“…In addition, ethnic discrimination has long been recognized as a key factor in promoting the growth of ethnic identity (Branscombe et al, 1999), and a factor motivating individual and collective actions for social change (Wright & Tropp, 2002). It has also promoted the desire to seek support from a co-ethnic group (Arat & Bilgili, 2021), often by choosing a separation strategy in intercultural interaction (Berry & Sabatier, 2010). However, all of these results have been found mostly in samples in ethnic minorities and immigrants (Verkuyten, 1998;Berry et al, 2006;Lepshokova et al, 2018) but rarely studied at all among members of the ethnic majority.…”

“…However, there are different coping mechanisms helping individuals to deal with the negative impacts of discrimination on their well-being (Goreis et al, 2020;Arat & Bilgili, 2021), such as increased identification with one's in-group (Branscombe et al, 1999). In-group identification was postulated to be an important factor that potentially mitigates the consequences of ethnic discrimination (Mewes et al, 2015), high levels thereof can provide people with the resources to counteract the harm caused by discrimination.…”

Narasi Diskriminatif Pascakonflik pada Masyarakat Kristen

“…Sementara itu, faktor struktural berkaitan secara langsung terhadap faktor infrastruktural. 29 Artinya, kebijakan politik pemerintahan akan berdampak pada sejauh mana infrastruktur atau fasilitas publik mendukung terciptanya kesetaraan akses terhadap masyarakat yang plural. Lebih lanjut, Mackenbach menyebutkan bahwa kedua faktor tersebut (struktural dan infrastruktural) merupakan konsekuensi dari hubungan sebab akibat.…”