The emotional citizen: Positive affective response towards immigrants predicts meaningful experiences with them and lower COVID-19 perceived threat in nine countries

Maria Duque, David De Coninck, Cory L. Cobb, Tara Bautista, Jackson D. Anderson, Pablo Montero-Zamora, Patrizia A. Perazzo, Claudia Lopez-Madrigal, Beyhan Ertanir, Maria F. Garcia, Saskia R. Vos, Aigerim Alpysbekova, Seth J. Schwartz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mass migration and COVID-19 represent two converging challenges affecting immigrant-receiving countries. Our understanding of intergroup emotion profiles—positive (happiness, hope, and sympathy) and negative (anger, fear, and disgust)—among members of immigrant destination societies in times of global uncertainty remains limited. Drawing from panel samples from nine countries (N = 13,645), and controlling for relevant covariates, we aimed to extract latent profiles of intergroup emotions and map these profiles onto perceived COVID-19-related threats, immigrant contact, political predispositions, dark triad traits, and prejudice. We identified six latent profiles with patterns suggesting that positive interactions with immigrants are significantly correlated with positive emotional response and lower perceived pandemic threat. Societies facing mass immigration in the wake of COVID-19 may benefit from interventions and policies that promote positive and close experiences with immigrants, thereby reducing negative emotions and fostering positive emotions toward newcomers among citizens.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1862-1884
Number of pages23
JournalGroup Processes and Intergroup Relations
Volume27
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • dark triad
  • intergroup contact
  • intergroup emotions
  • intergroup threat
  • prejudice

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Cultural Studies
  • Communication
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science

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