Associations Between Discrimination, Religious Affiliation, and Arab-American Identity

Associations Between Discrimination, Religious Affiliation, and Arab- American Identity

 

Background and Purpose:Since 9/11, Arab-Americans have become increasingly visible, and the Muslim American population has become increasingly stigmatized. As a result, there have been increases in hate crimes, negative stereotypes, and other acts of discrimination directed at immigrants of Arab descent. Discrimination has been shown to have strong negative effects that include diminished physical health and psychological well-being. However, ethnic identity has been shown to be a source of self-esteem and positive well-being. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between experiences of discrimination, perceptions of discrimination, religious affiliation, and Arab ethnic identification.

 

Methods: Data was from the 2003 Detroit Arab American Study (DAAS), which is a representative sample of adult Arab-Americans living in the Detroit metropolitan area (n=1000). DAAS participants reported perceived discrimination through a two-item scale (r=.578), and experiences associated with discrimination through a six item scale (alpha =.710). Ethnic identity was assessed through a dichotomous, single item question that asked whether respondents identified as “Arab-American,” or if there was another term that better described them. Religious affiliation was assessed through a dichotomous, single question that asked whether the respondent identified as either Christian or Muslim. The model independent variables were participants’ experiences of verbal insults, threatening words/gestures, physical attack, vandalism, loss of employment, or other bad experience due to their ethnicity since 9/11, and participants’ perceptions of bias in news coverage in favor, balanced, or against Islam/Muslims and Arab-Americans.

Results: The logistic regression model suggested that individuals who reported more experiences associated with discrimination were significantly more likely to identify with non Arab-American groups (OR = 2.49). However, higher levels of perceived discrimination had no significant effect on ethnic identity. Finally, religious identification was significantly associated with ethnic identity such that individuals who identified as Christian had significantly higher odds associated with ethnic identification to non Arab-American groups (OR = 3.8).

 

Conclusions: While ethnic identity can be a protective source for self-esteem and positive well-being, this study suggests that experiences associated with discrimination have a negative effect on ethnic identity. For social work, this study offers insight into the increased need to address the roles that stigma and discrimination play in the health and well being of ethnic minority and religious minority Americans. With improved community-based interventions and policies intended to reduce the negative attitudes towards Muslim and/or Arab Americans, social work practitioners may assist in dramatic improvements to the physical health and psychological well being of multiple historically disadvantaged groups.