Promoting positive intergroup emotions toward refugees through perceived similarity, empathy, and justice sensitivity

Abstract

This study examined how perceived similarity with Syrian refugees is related to intergroup emotions in helping and victimization through empathy and justice sensitivity in children and adolescents. Data was collected from 510 Turkish middle and high school students (M_age = 13.20, SD = 1.92; aged between 10 and 18). Pride in helping refugee peers, the guilt of not being able to help refugee peers, and anger to observe the victimization of refugee peers were measured. Participants’ perceived similarity with Syrian refugees, empathy towards victimized Syrian refugee peers, and observer justice sensitivity towards refugees were evaluated through self-report measures. Parallel mediation models documented significant indirect effects of perceived similarity on three intergroup emotions via empathy and justice sensitivity. Results suggested that participants with higher perceived similarities were more likely to empathize with refugees and report higher rates of justice sensitivity towards the victimization of refugees, which in turn predicted higher feelings of pride, guilt, and anger. Although the direct effects of perceived similarity on intergroup emotions were insignificant, the total effects of perceived similarity were significant. This study contributes to the growing body of literature investigating the possible association between intergroup emotions, intergroup attitudes, and social-cognitive skills to provide insights for intervention programs to promote positive intergroup relations in schools.