Does living in districts with higher levels of ethnic violence affect refugees' attitudes towards the host country? Empirical evidence from Germany. Issue 15 (18th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schwitter, Nicole; Liebe, Ulf
• Is Part Of: Ethnic and racial studies. Volume 45:Issue 15(2022)
• Page Start: 2793
• Page End: 2821
• Publication Date: 2022-11-18
• Subjects: Ethnic violence -- refugees -- integration -- xenophobia -- immigration -- SOEP; Race -- Periodicals; Race relations -- Periodicals; Ethnic groups -- Periodicals; 305.805
• DOI: 10.1080/01419870.2022.2052141
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-9870

Abstract

ABSTRACT: While there are many quantitative studies examining the determinants of ethnic violence from the perspective of offenders, less is known about the effects of violence on the victims or target groups. In light of the increased refugee migration in Germany in 2015/2016, we provide empirical evidence that living in districts with a past of ethnic violence against refugees affects refugees' perception of the host country negatively. We are using survey data from the German Socio-Economic Panel which we matched with data on ethnic violence. Albeit refugees had positive attitudes towards Germany – they felt overwhelmingly welcome, safe, and were barely worried about xenophobia – they were considerably less likely to feel this positive in districts with a high accumulated share of arson attacks on refugee homes. As living in contexts with higher levels of past and present ethnic violence can influence refugees' attitudes, this has implications for integration processes.