Threat to ethnic identity: the experience of White Afrikaans-speaking participants in postapartheid South Africa
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Post-apartheid South Africa impacts White Afrikaans-speaking identity. Many feel threatened in their well-being and group continuity, linking this to negative political views and social instability.
Area Of Science
- Social Psychology
- Sociology
- Political Science
Background
- The end of apartheid in South Africa brought significant societal shifts.
- Understanding the psychological impact on minority groups is crucial.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate threat perceptions to ethnic identity among White Afrikaans-speaking South Africans (Afrikaners) in the post-apartheid era.
- To identify correlates associated with these threat perceptions.
Main Methods
- Survey research conducted on an urban sample of White Afrikaans-speaking South Africans.
- Analysis of perceptions of ethnic identity threat on two levels: distinctive continuity and evaluative well-being.
Main Results
- Respondents experienced greater threat to the evaluative dimension (well-being) of their ethnic identity.
- Higher threat perception was linked to perceived negative evaluations from other groups, negative attitudes towards political changes, and perceptions of post-apartheid system instability.
- Concerns about distinctive continuity were associated with more positive attitudes toward sociopolitical changes, weaker ethnic identification, negative collective self-esteem, and more liberal political views.
Conclusions
- White Afrikaans-speaking South Africans experienced significant threats to their ethnic identity post-apartheid, particularly concerning their well-being.
- Perceptions of threat are closely tied to intergroup relations and the perceived legitimacy and stability of the new political system.
- Findings offer insights into the psychological adjustment of minority groups during major political transitions.