Journal of Psychiatry

Rejection Identification Model: The Case of Middle Eastern Refugees in Germany

2^nd International Conference on Psychiatry and Psychiatric Disorders

May 02-04, 2016 Chicago, Illinois, USA

Wala Maaitah, Nicole Harth and Thomas Kessler

Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

As the controversy of immigration compounds worldwide, scholastic curiosity exhibited by advocates of the psychology of the powerless continues to engross in minority groups�?? experiences of devaluation and continued suffering in countries of refuge. Processes involved in the social and psychological recovery of the mostly Middle Eastern civil war absconders in Europe remain faraway from being completely understood. The rejection identification model proposed by Branscombe et al. (1999) coupled with supported evidence from integrated threat theory (Stephan et al., 1999) put forward that out-group rejection and stable discrimination damage minority group�??s well-being. Yet, in-group�??s positive self-esteem is preserved through the positive counteractive effect of in-group identification. Namely, activation of group identity increases inclusion and belongingness to in-group, and serves as a substantial protective coping resource and a successful behavioral basis that buffers the negative effects of out-group rejection (Ramos et al, 2011). In our present study we examined how perceived realistic threat, past and pervasive experiences of prejudice among Middle Eastern refugees in Germany impact their minority group identification, psychological well- being, and attitudes towards Germans. A self-reporting questionnaire was distributed to 230 Middle Eastern refugees at 22 refugee camps in Germany. Preliminary analysis shows significant correlations between variables, such as, experiences of discrimination and psychological distress r= 0.412, p=000, likewise, a positive correlation between perceived realistic threat and hostility towards Germans r=0.255, p=000. Our results speak for social and psychological needs of civil war absconders and refugees, as their crisis ranks first on list of current issues of public opinion.

Biography :

Wala Maaitah is currently a Social Psychology PhD student at the University of Jena, Germany. She is interested in socio-psychological dynamics that define social groups involved in intractable conflicts. She is also interested in psychological trauma and its repercussions for politics and inter-group relations.

Email: wala.maaitah@gmail.com