Accent-based discrimination in the Venezuelans resettled in Colombia.

Abstract

Little is known about accent-based discrimination among countries that share the same language. The present study was designed to identify the sociodemographic characteristics related to the perception of accent-based discrimination among Venezuelan migrants in Colombia and how negative context of reception, pressure to acculturate, crisis migration, depressive symptoms, and anxiety are related to this kind of discrimination. The study employed a convergent parallel mixed methods design. With information from 999 Venezuelans (430 adolescents and 569 adults), we conducted a logistic regression analysis. Additionally, 64 qualitative interviews were carried out. Results indicate that negative context of reception, pressure to acculturate, crisis migration, and depressive symptoms are related to heightened perceptions of accent-based discrimination. Qualitative results suggest that Venezuelans in Colombia have learned to cope with changes, establish friendships, and develop a new life. They have also learned to navigate the pain of rejection and to take pride in their origins, as well as in the country and city that have offered them new opportunities. The present results indicate that accent-based discrimination is a phenomenon of utmost importance for Venezuelans who migrate to Colombia. Qualitative information suggests that the perception of discrimination diminishes through the adaptation processes among both Venezuelan migrants and Colombian host nationals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).