Being tolerated and minority well-being: The role of group identifications. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cvetkovska, Sara; Verkuyten, Maykel; Adelman, Levi
• Is Part Of: International journal of intercultural relations. Volume 74(2020)
• Page Start: 161
• Page End: 173
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Tolerance -- Ethnic minority -- Group identification -- Well-being -- Inclusion -- Discrimination; Intercultural communication -- Periodicals; Cultural relations -- Periodicals; Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; Communication interculturelle -- Périodiques; Relations culturelles -- Périodiques; Études transculturelles -- Périodiques; Cross-cultural studies; Cultural relations; Intercultural communication; Periodicals; 303.482
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2019.10.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-1767

Abstract

Abstract: In recent decades, a norm of tolerating group differences has been promoted by laypeople and leaders as a way to manage cultural and religious diversity. But whether such a policy is beneficial for the targets' sense of group belonging and well-being is unknown. This research investigates how being tolerated differs from being discriminated against and being accepted in its associations with affective well-being and ethnic and national identification of ethnic minorities. We test whether being tolerated is related to well-being through its association with both group identifications. With a sample of ethnic minority group members in the Netherlands (N = 518) we found that being tolerated is related to higher well-being through increased national identification, but not as strongly as being accepted. Being tolerated is different from experiencing discrimination against and being accepted, and its relations to well-being and group belonging often fall between those of discrimination and acceptance. Toleration is associated with higher well-being, but only to the extent that its targets feel included in the overarching national category.