Navigating National Acceptance: Key Antecedents of Social Markers of Acceptance of Immigrants in Russia

The article explores the links between four principal antecedents - deprovincialization, perceived diversity norms, autochthony belief, and relative deprivation - and social markers of acceptance of immigrants in Russia. In an epoch increasingly influenced by immigration, it is imperative to meticulously examine how these antecedents are correlated with social markers of acceptance, which hold significant implications for immigrants’ adaptation. This study aims to ascertain the extent to which these variables are correlated with social markers of immigrant acceptance within the Russian context. Survey data from 1,009 participants, predominantly self-identifying as ethnic Russians, were analyzed. The questionnaire was developed using new and original measures. The findings demonstrate that deprovincialization and perceived diversity norms within an individual’s immediate surroundings showed effects on the social acceptance of immigrants, both directly and indirectly. Furthermore, autochthony belief and relative deprivation were identified as having mediating effects in these dynamics, highlighting their significance across all social markers of acceptance. These insights deepen our understanding of the complex process of immigrant social acceptance, accentuating the importance of individual differences and social influences. The study further reveals that immigrant social acceptance extends beyond mere openness and positive attitude towards cultural diversity, involving an inclusion of ethnocultural groups into the larger society that addresses group hierarchy and inequality in a manner deemed acceptable by the host society. By exploring these associations in detail, the research offers valuable information that could inform initiatives aimed at enhancing social inclusion and promoting intercultural and interethnic relations and harmony in Russia.