Multiculturalism in dominant ethnic populations: A transnational profile analysis

Abstract

Following a person-centered approach, the present study investigates support for multiculturalism of dominant ethnic members. Using Latent Profile Analysis, the current investigation aimed to identify subgroups of dominant ethnic participants and examine potential difference in their endorsement of multiculturalism towards subaltern ethnic groups. Based on the existing literature, subgroups of dominant members were identified along with the combination of multiple obstacles (i.e., national identity and intolerance) and resources (i.e., positive intergroup contact, psychological resilience and universalism) towards the endorsement of multiculturalism. Findings from a transnational sample of individuals (N. 636) across three Southern European Countries (i.e., Italy, Portugal and Spain) yielded five distinct profiles (i.e., Cosmopolitans, Glocals, Parochials, Resilient Intolerants and Disengaged). Also, they indicated that the identified subgroups differed on patterns of key psychosocial variables and degree of endorsement of multiculturalism. The majority of the sample (Cosmopolitans, Glocals and Disegnaged) show high level of multiculturalism, despite interesting differences characterized the distribution of the profiles across the three countries: the more intolerant profiles (Parochials and Resilient Intolerants) were prevalent in Italy. Contrarily to our expectations, national identity was not exclusionary per se, as has been reported elsewhere. Rather, depending on its combination with other key variables, it worked either as an obstacle or as a resource towards the support for multiculturalism of dominant ethnic members. Potential contributions of Latent Profile Analysis for an in depth understanding of multiculturalism and implications for interventions are discussed.