Mixed and worried? Examining the association between locality type and worrying about social phenomena in Arab citizens of Israel

Abstract This study examined the association between the type of locality ethnic minorities reside in and their worrying about social phenomena through the lens of the social capital theory. The study aimed at showing that worry profiles, as well the extent of being concerned about various social phenomena, are not the same for the minority residents of ethnically homogeneous and of ethnically heterogeneous localities. Moreover, the main assumption was that residing in heterogeneous locality corresponds to an increase in concerns about social phenomena. The data were obtained from the Personal and Community Security Index Survey which was conducted among the Arab citizens of Israel in 2020 (N = 947). The data were analyzed using multinomial and linear regression models. The results show that residing in ethnically mixed localities was associated with having a highly worried profile. Residing in mixed localities also related to a greater worry about the general social and the violence-related phenomena. The results supported the social capital theory. The results suggest that residing in ethnically homogeneous localities plays a protective role with respect to being concerned about social phenomena. The results imply that public decision makers should develop long-term plans to reduce worry levels in minority residents of ethnically mixed localities which will include provision of tailored services, fighting against violence, and informing about the proposed solutions for each phenomenon of concern.