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The dual path of the rejection (dis)identification model: A study on adolescents with a migrant background
Author(s) -
Mazzoni Davide,
Pancani Luca,
Marinucci Marco,
Riva Paolo
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.609
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1099-0992
pISSN - 0046-2772
DOI - 10.1002/ejsp.2672
Subject(s) - psychology , identification (biology) , ethnic group , feeling , social psychology , immigration , path analysis (statistics) , social rejection , group identification , developmental psychology , social relation , sociology , political science , statistics , botany , mathematics , anthropology , biology , law
Abstract Ethnic‐based rejection, especially when prolonged over time, can result in withdrawal (e.g., resignation) and antisocial (e.g., delinquent) behaviors. Rejection (dis)identification literature suggests that identification with the minority (ethnic) group and disidentification with the majority (national) group mediate the relationship between rejection and different dimensions of well‐being. Through secondary analyses of survey data from an international sample of adolescents with a migrant background ( N = 1,163) we tested the predictions that, following chronic experiences of rejection, disidentification from the national (rejecting) group will increase withdrawal and feelings of resignation whereas identification with the ethic (rejected) group will have a protective role toward delinquent behaviors. Results of the path analysis were consistent with these hypotheses without significant differences between immigrant generations. The study sheds light on the multifaceted nature of identification processes following social rejection and contributes to the integration of the rejection‐identification model with classical theorizations of social exclusion.