Publication
Title
Television and anti-immigrant sentiments : the mediating role of fear of crime and perceived ethnic diversity
Author
Abstract
Previous research has established a correlation between fear of crime and anti-immigrant sentiments. In this paper, we explore the role of television in explaining individual differences in fear of crime, perceived ethnic diversity and anti-immigrant sentiments. We use the Social Cohesion Indicators in Flanders' data, a representative survey in the Flemish region of Belgium, combined with real-life indicators of ethnic diversity and crime at the community level. Results of a multilevel structural equation model suggest that watching television is positively associated with fear of crime and perceived ethnic diversity, which in turn is associated with anti-immigrant sentiments. Preference for public television is, however, associated with lower anti-immigrant sentiments, perceived ethnic diversity and fear of crime levels. Real crime and ethnic diversity levels are only weakly related to anti-immigrant sentiments. We conclude that especially perceptions are important in influencing anti-immigrant sentiments and that television use is associated with these perceptions.
Language
English
Source (journal)
European societies: official journal of the European Sociological Association. - London
Publication
London : 2017
ISSN
1461-6696
DOI
10.1080/14616696.2017.1290264
Volume/pages
19 :3 (2017) , p. 243-267
ISI
000402017200002
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 12.03.2024
Last edited 13.03.2024
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