Thomas, J., Bentall, R.P., Hadden, L. et al. (1 more author) (2017) Ethnic identity and paranoid thinking : implicit out-group preference and language dominance predict paranoia in Emirati women. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 56. pp. 122-128. ISSN 0005-7916
Abstract
Background and objectives
Psychotic experiences including persecutory beliefs are elevated among immigrant and minority populations, especially when living in low ethnic density neighbourhoods (the ethnic density effect). Discrimination, victimization and experiencing a sense of ‘not belonging’ are hypothesized to play a role in this effect. Because a secure ethnic identity protects against poor self-esteem it may also protect against paranoia. This study explores the relationship between language proficiency (Arabic/English), in-group identity (implicit and explicit) and paranoia in female Emirati university students.
Methods
Female citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emirati college women (N = 208), reported English/Arabic language proficiencies, and performed a computerized affective priming task engineered to implicitly assess in-group (Emirati) versus out-group (American) positivity. Participants also completed self-report measures of in-group identity (MIIS), and paranoia (PaDs).
Results
Arabic proficiency was negatively correlated with paranoia, as was implicit in-group positivity. Furthermore, participants reporting English language dominance, and those demonstrating an implicit out-group preference, reported the highest levels of paranoia.
Limitations
The study is limited by its use of an all female sample.
Conclusions
Implicit in-group attitudes and linguistic competence protect against paranoia and may help to explain the ethnic density effect.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 Elsevier. |
Keywords: | Acculturation; Arab; Paranoia; Identity; In-group evaluation; Priming |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Psychology (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 15 Jan 2020 11:37 |
Last Modified: | 15 Jan 2020 11:37 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.jbtep.2016.10.004 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:155558 |