Serbian adolescents’ Romaphobia and their acculturation orientations towards the Roma minority

This study examines whether and to what extent perceived threat mediates the relationship between expectations towards the Roma acculturation and anti-Roma attitudes. A model was tested using structural equation modeling. The sample consisted of 687 Serbian adolescents (mean age 17), of which 53% were females. In a survey-based study, we assessed participants’ acculturation expectations, their feelings towards the Roma, and their perception of economic and symbolic threat. The results provide support for the expected interrelationships between the constructs: the endorsement of integrative acculturation expectations was negatively associated with perceived threat and Romaphobia, whereas the preferences for assimilation, segregation, or marginalization were associated with more perceived threat, and more Romaphobia. Moreover, the relationships between acculturation expectations and Romaphobia were partially (in case of integration and marginalization) and fully (in case of assimilation and segregation) mediated by perceived threat. The implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Research highlights▶ Integrationists were less Romaphobic then people who endorsed other types of acculturation. ▶ Threat played a crucial role in assimilationists’ and segregationists’ Romaphobia. ▶ Integrationists’ and marginalists’ prejudice was also threat-driven, albeit partially.