What predicts threat perceptions toward people opposing to the government? A population-based study following Umbrella Movement, Hong Kong

Abstract

We examined the incidence and predictors of threat perceptions toward people who oppose government action (i.e., protestors) following the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong (September 28th to December 15th, 2014). A population-representative sample of 1,208 citizens (mean age = 46.89 years; 52.4% female) was recruited two months after the conclusion of the Movement using random digit dialing. Upon giving their informed consent, respondents reported sociodemographics, perceived threats of protestors to the prospects of democracy, ways of life, and the economy, anxiety symptoms (STAI), and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9). More than half disagreed that protestors threatened the prospects of democracy (54.7%, 95% CI = .52, .57), ways of life (52.2%, 95% CI = .49, .55), and the economy (51.4%, 95% CI = .49, .54). Regression analyses revealed that male sex was associated with lower odds of perceiving threats to the prospects of democracy and ways of life. Being unmarried was associated with lower odds of perceiving threats to the economy. Secondary education level and depressive symptoms were associated with higher odds of perceiving threats to ways of life and the economy, respectively. This is one of the first population-based studies that measured socioeconomic and mental health correlates of political attitudes immediately following pro-democracy movements.

Relationship of living historical memories and news source with national identity: A latent class analysis

“…Many similar protests were organised post-Handover to fight against the influence of the mainland Chinese government on Hong Kong legislation, demanding that the mainland Chinese government comply with the One-Country, Two-Systems constitutional principles (e.g., the autonomy of Hong Kong, free elections of the local government). Major protests included the 2012 Moral and National Education controversy (i.e., mandatory patriotic education in grade schools; Cheng & Chan, 2015), the 2014 Umbrella Revolution or the Occupy Central with Love and Peace protest demanding electoral reform and universal suffrage (Hou et al, 2018), and anti-extradition bill protests which involved over 2 million people (F. Lee, 2020). These protests and the increased awareness of democracy in Hong Kong have driven some Hongkongers to abandon their superordinate identity, pronouncing statements such as "I am from Hong Kong, not China" (Hui, 2019).…”