Ethnic Identification, Social Discrimination and Interethnic Relations in Kazakhstan

Membership in ethnic groups is salient to positive self-concepts and as a buffer against perceived discrimination. Ethnic identification takes on special importance under conditions of perceived discrimination and identity threat. Our research reported here is based on a survey and partly on semi-directive interviews conducted with 371 respondents between the ages of 18 and 31 in city of Karaganda, the central region of Kazakhstan. Results showed that the Russian and other minorities in Kazakhstan have perceptions of discrimination that varies from the majority. Further, the results indicated that the perceptions of the minorities and majority are partly determined by their asymmetric relationship. Ethnic identity is especially salient to minorities that experience identity threat. It can be concluded that coercive national policies seeking integration is counter- indicated by the results.