Ethnic Discrimination Research Articles

Intergenerational persistence of poverty in five high-income countries.

Childhood poverty increases the likelihood of adult poverty. However, past research offers conflicting accounts of cross-national variation in the strength of-and mechanisms underpinning-the intergenerational persistence of poverty. Here the authors investigate differences in intergenerational poverty in the United States, Australia, Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom using administrative- and survey-based panel datasets. Intergenerational poverty is decomposed into family background effects, mediation effects, tax and transfer insurance effects and a residual poverty penalty. The intergenerational persistence of poverty is 0.43 in the United States (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.40-0.46; P < 0.001), compared with 0.16 in the United Kingdom (95% CI = 0.07-0.25; P < 0.001) and 0.08 in Denmark (95% CI = 0.08-0.08; P < 0.001). The US disadvantage is not channelled through family background, mediators, neighbourhood effects or racial or ethnic discrimination. Instead, the United States has comparatively weak tax and transfer insurance effects and a more severe residual poverty penalty. If the United States were to adopt the tax and transfer insurance effects of its peer countries, its intergenerational poverty persistence could decrease by more than one-third.

Discrimination against migrants: does social capital moderate harmful effects on mental health?

Abstract The harmful mental health effects of perceived discrimination are well established. Yet, the role of regional-level social capital in mitigating these effects remains underexplored. Using data from the German Socioeconomic Panel (SOEP; 2010-2021) we apply random effects models to assess the effect of perceived discrimination on mental health (mcs subscale of the SF-12) adjusting for individual socio-demographic factors and regional-level socioeconomic deprivation. We assess interaction with general social capital (civic organisations, electoral turnout, generalised trust) and migrant-specific resources (proportion of non-nationals and share of far-right votes). We juxtapose non-refugee migrants (n = 13478) with refugees subject to mobility restrictions (n = 5558) to assess for bias introduced by selective mobility into regions. In the non-refugee sample, we confirm negative effects of frequent discrimination experiences on mcs (ß: -3.74; 95%CI: -4.39, -3.08). Moderation analyses show insignificant results for general social capital, but a negative interaction effect of proportion of non-nationals (ß: -0.71; 95%CI: -1.34, -0.08). Analyses among refugees confirm the negative effect of discrimination on mcs (ß: -6.29; 95%CI: -7.49, -5.08) and the moderating effect of the proportion of non-nationals (ß: -1.63; 95%CI: -2.78, -0.48), as well as showing a positive moderation effect for generalised trust (ß: 0.84; 95%CI: 0.11-1.57). Results demonstrate the negative implications of living in areas with a high proportion of non-nationals for migrants experiencing discrimination, which may be explained by the higher marginalisation of migrants in these areas and increased service access barriers. The absence of a moderation effect of general social capital appears to be the result of selection bias, with positive effects of generalised trust seen for refugee migrants. Key messages • Ethnic discrimination affects mental health of refugee and non-refugee migrants. • The effect of discrimination on mental health are stronger in areas with higher proportion of non-nationals.

An ecological perspective of psychological distress predictors among minoritized populations facing a collective crisis: the case of Arab-Palestinians during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel

ABSTRACT The study examined predictors of psychological distress among Arab-Palestinians in Israel during COVID-19 from an ecological perspective. Participants (n = 665) completed questionnaires assessing their sense of danger, resource loss, social support, barriers to accessing formal support, social exclusion and ethnic discrimination, and depression, anxiety, and somatization. Our structural equation model accounted for 68% of the psychological distress variance. Individual, interpersonal, community, and socio-political variables were significantly interrelated, and associated with psychological distress. The socio-political context of Arab-Palestinians highlighted specific challenges and resilience factors. Results underscore the necessity of a holistic approach and context-sensitive policies to address psychological distress among minoritized populations.

Discrimination Against Puerto Ricans in the Puerto Rican Housing Market: Evidence From a Preregistered Audit Experiment

Abstract Do locals discriminate against themselves by favoring foreigners with higher expected purchasing power? Drawing on theories of prejudice, discrimination, and colonialism, I argue that in colonized and post-colonial countries, local home sellers discriminate against local potential homebuyers while favoring foreigners with expected higher purchasing power, anticipating a more profitable transaction. I support this argument with evidence from a preregistered online audit study targeting discriminatory attitudes toward local home buyers. In the study, fictitious home buyers with distinctive language and ethnic names emailed 1,512 home sellers (realtors and homeowners) across all municipalities in Puerto Rico. Home sellers reported more houses available to Americans and invited them to more house showings than Puerto Ricans. My estimates indicate that ethnic discrimination exists in the Puerto Rican housing market. These findings provide new insights into ethnic dynamics in colonized and post-colonial societies and underscore concerns about recent legislation that turned Puerto Rico into a tax haven.

Ethnic discrimination, cultural identification, and well-being among undocumented Hispanic immigrants in the United States: A test of the rejection-identification model.

This study aimed to examine the rejection-identification model (RIM) within a community sample of undocumented Hispanic immigrants in the United States, a unique and vulnerable population who face distinct legal and sociopolitical challenges. The RIM posits that ethnic discrimination is associated with increased identification with one's ethnic group, which, in turn, is positively associated with well-being. Data were collected from a community sample of 140 undocumented Hispanic immigrants living in the South-Central United States during the height of the 2015 Trump presidential campaign. Path analysis was employed to examine direct and indirect effects of perceived ethnic discrimination vis-à-vis ethnic identity, U.S. identity, and two forms of well-being (life satisfaction and flourishing). Age (M = 34.83), gender (50% men), and time spent in the United States were included as covariates. Higher ethnic discrimination was associated with lower U.S. and ethnic identity. Both ethnic and U.S. identity were positively associated with flourishing, whereas only U.S. identity was positively associated with life satisfaction. We also found a significant indirect effect of ethnic identity in the relationship between ethnic discrimination and flourishing. Findings are inconsistent with the RIM, as ethnic discrimination was negatively rather than positively associated with ethnic group identification. Undocumented Hispanic immigrants are a vulnerable population who may experience dual disidentification from both U.S. and ethnic cultural streams when perceiving ethnic discrimination during adverse sociopolitical periods. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Racial and Ethnic Discrimination and Medical Students’ Identity Formation

Investigating racial and ethnic discrimination in medical education is crucial for addressing disparities and fostering an inclusive environment. To assess how racial and ethnic discrimination in medical school is associated with personal and professional identity formation (PPIF) by race and ethnicity. This retrospective cross-sectional study used deidentified data on 37 610 medical students who matriculated in 2014 or 2015 and took the Association of American Medical Colleges Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) between 2016 and 2020. Statistical analysis was performed from September 1 to November 20, 2023. Experiences of racial and ethnic discrimination were assessed through responses to 3 GQ questions about denial of opportunities, offensive remarks or names, and lower evaluations or grades due to race or ethnicity. Personal and professional development were measured as 2 separate outcomes using 2 GQ statements rated on a 5-point Likert scale (where 1 indicated strongly disagree and 5 indicated strongly agree): "My medical school has done a good job fostering and nurturing my development as a person" and "My medical school has done a good job fostering and nurturing my development as a physician." Variables of personal and professional development were both dichotomized. Of 37 610 medical students, 18 200 (48.4%) were female, and 19 410 (51.6%) were male; 2458 (6.5%) were African American or Black, 7801 (20.7%) were Asian, 2430 (6.5%) were Hispanic, 21 380 (56.9%) were White, 2404 (6.4%) were multiracial, and 1137 (3%) were other race or ethnicity. Most respondents attested that their medical school fostered their personal (27 272 [72.5%]) and professional (34 560 [91.9%]) development. African American or Black students reported the lowest rates of personal (1603 of 2458 [65.2%]) and professional (2182 of 2458 [88.8%]) development, and experienced lower likelihoods of personal (adjusted risk ratio [ARR], 0.89 [95% CI, 0.86-0.93]) and professional (ARR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.94-0.97]) development than White students. Racial discrimination was inversely associated with development, with the highest PPIF rates among those never experiencing discrimination (personal, 25 089 of 33 508 [74.9%]; and professional, 31 257 of 33 508 [93.3%]). Those experiencing isolated discrimination (personal: ARR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.80-0.87]; professional: ARR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.91-0.95]) and recurrent discrimination (personal: ARR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.60-0.66]; professional: ARR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.80-0.84]) had relatively lower likelihoods of PPIF. African American or Black students experienced the highest rate of recurrent discrimination (543 of 2458 [22.1%]). No significant PPIF risk differences were found for other racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in medicine without discrimination compared with White students without discrimination, but all groups with recurrent discrimination had relatively lower PPIF risk. In this cross-sectional study of US medical students, racial and ethnic discrimination was associated with lower PPIF across all racial and ethnic groups compared with White students without such experiences. African American or Black students disproportionately faced this discrimination. Systemic changes in medical education are needed to combat discrimination and ensure equity in holistic student development.

Is there ethnic discrimination in Roma children’s access to sports clubs in Hungary? Evidence from field experiments in basketball, volleyball, and soccer

In this paper, we examine children’s ethnic discrimination in access to sport. We conducted two field experiments to test whether Roma applicants get greater rejection rates when applying to sport clubs and whether this rate is higher in case Roma applicants have a lower-class background. Basketball, volleyball, and soccer coaches were contacted by e-mail using Roma and non-Roma sounding names, requesting to participate in a trial practice. Previous findings show persistent discrimination of Roma people in Central and Eastern Europe in the labor and housing market and in access to various public services. Our findings in the field of sport in Hungary show that there is significant ethnic discrimination only when a stereotype about Roma people being lower class is activated. Further, gender was found to have a significant effect, with higher positive response rates for mothers applying for a trial session for a daughter, than for a son, regardless of their ethnicity. Our findings suggest a prevailing intersection of class and ethnicity, though our data does not allow for the separation of these two effects. These differences are discussed to better understand the role of intersectionality in discrimination within sport.

Secular socialization vs. religious reactivity: effects of ethnic composition and discrimination on changing religiosity among Muslim youth

ABSTRACT Based on three waves of the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Survey in Four European Countries (2010-2013), we test hypotheses of religious decline and religious reactivity among Muslim youth in England, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The religious decline hypotheses predict that the proportion of natives in schools and neighborhoods has a negative impact on the religiosity of Muslim youth. The religious reactivity hypothesis states that Muslim youth increase their religiosity when they experience discrimination in the host country. We assess three dimensions of religiosity – service attendance, frequency of prayer, and subjective importance of religion – using linear growth models. Our findings partially support the religious decline hypotheses, particularly regarding prayer frequency. Additionally, we find that perceived discrimination is not related to prayer frequency or subjective importance of religion and, at best, predicts a decrease in service attendance rather than an increase, contradicting the religious reactivity hypothesis.

Perceived discrimination and pain outcomes among black adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain: identifying modifiable psychosocial risk factors.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is highly prevalent, frequently associated with negative health outcomes, and disproportionately impacts Black Americans. Perceived racial and ethnic discrimination has emerged as a factor that may influence the experience of chronic pain in this population. Identifying modifiable psychosocial factors that influence the link between perceived discrimination and pain and that can be directly targeted in treatment is vital to reducing the disproportionate burden of CMP among Black individuals. The present study examines the moderating role of five risk factors (i.e., pain avoidance, pain fusion, experiential avoidance, pain catastrophizing, and pain anxiety) on the relationship between perceived discrimination and pain outcomes (i.e., pain intensity and interference) in a sample of 401 Black adults with CMP. We recruited 401 Black individuals (Mage = 35.98, 51.9% female) with self-reported CMP and assessed their self-reported perceived discrimination, pain intensity, pain interference, and pain-related psychosocial risk factors. Results indicated that higher scores on each of the psychosocial risk factors (i.e., pain avoidance, pain fusion, experiential avoidance, pain catastrophizing, and pain anxiety) were significantly associated with greater pain intensity and pain interference (all ps < 0.01). Further, pain avoidance (B = 0.12, p = .006), pain fusion (B = 0.13, p = .002), and pain anxiety (B = 0.13, p = .002) each significantly moderated the relation between perceived discrimination and pain intensity. Greater perceived discrimination was associated with greater pain intensity at higher levels of avoidance and fusion, and was associated with less pain intensity at lower levels of avoidance and pain anxiety. In interaction models predicting pain interference, both pain fusion (B = 0.14, p = .001) and pain anxiety (B = 0.10, p = .01) significantly moderated the relation between perceived discrimination and pain interference. Perceived discrimination was associated with greater pain interference at higher levels of pain fusion and pain anxiety, and was not associated with pain interference at lower levels of pain fusion and pain anxiety. The present findings provide important insights into psychosocial risk factors that moderate the link between perceived discrimination and pain outcomes, providing important clinical implications for the treatment of Black adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

The association between experiences of unfair treatment in school and adolescent adjustment over 5 years.

This study investigates how high-school experiences of unfair treatment connect to adolescents' higher education enrollment and life satisfaction 5 years later. We utilized four waves of data at ages 14 years (T1), 16 (T2), 18 (T3) and 19 (T4) in the UK (N = 13,065; 51% Male, 49% Female, 70% White, 11% Black, 19% South-Asian). Perceived teacher unfairness at T1 predicted lower university aspirations (T2) and subsequently lower enrollment in higher education (at T3 and T4) and life satisfaction (T4). Experiences with T1 teacher ethnic discrimination also predicted lower life satisfaction. The effects were similar across historically minoritized and majority-background pupils, but historically minoritized adolescents experienced more ethnic discrimination in school. Our findings highlight the importance of fair treatment for all pupils.

Characteristics and Trends of Workplace Violence towards Frontline Health Workers under Comprehensive Interventions in a Chinese Infectious Disease Hospital.

This study investigated workplace violence (WPV) toward frontline health workers under comprehensive interventions to improve the occupational safety and health management system in a Chinese infectious disease hospital. The risk assessment of WPV using an international questionnaire was conducted in 2018 and 2021 to compare the perceived levels of exposure to WPV and intervention measures before and after the intensification of anti-violence measures in the hospital context. Additionally, qualitative data were collected in 2021 through semi-structured and unstructured interviews, providing complementary information about WPV toward frontline health workers (HWs). After establishing the occupational safety and health management system (OSHMS), the total incidence rate of WPV decreased from 60.90% in 2018 to 34.44% in 2021. Psychological violence declined significantly from 60.90% in 2018 to 33.89% in 2021. The endorsement of precautionary measures increased significantly from 2018 to 2021, including patient screening recognition, patient protocol, shift or rota changes, etc. A thematic analysis of several subthemes shows that HWs had an in-depth understanding of WPV, recognizing its multifaceted consequences in the context of complex risk factors. This study demonstrates a significant decrease in WPV, psychological violence, verbal abuse, bullying/mobbing, and ethnic discrimination after implementing the comprehensive OSHMS.

Intention to Use Primary Healthcare Services among South-South Migrants.

(1) Background: To evaluate a model based on the right-to-health approach, considering the impact of associated factors on the future utilization of primary healthcare services among international migrants in Chile. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed to survey 499 South American migrants residing in Chile. Ad-hoc questionnaires were used to assess their experiences related to the right to health, perceived discrimination, income, education, length of residence, age, marital status, gender, migration status, among others. Correlation analyses were conducted, followed by path analysis with significant variables to assess the fit of two models. (3) Results: Ten variables were identified as significant for path analysis. Among the two evaluated models, the final model identified six variables with significant direct and indirect effects. Among them, the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of healthcare services were positively associated with the future intention to use them. Additionally, perceived racial and ethnic discrimination also had a positive effect on the intention to use healthcare services, suggesting a possible adaptive response to adversity, exhibiting acceptable goodness-of-fit indices (χ2 =241,492; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.913; TLI = 0.82; RMSEA = 0.062; SRMR = 0.05). (4) Conclusions: While the initial model provides valuable insights, it is essential to broaden the analysis to include other factors influencing the specific context of international migrants.

Links between ethnic discrimination, mental health, protective factors, and hair cortisol concentrations in asylum seekers living in Germany

ABSTRACT Objective: Asylum seekers often experience ethnic discrimination on the flight or in the host country, which may be associated with chronic stress and impaired mental health. Dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, a known physiological correlate of chronic stress, can be assessed using hair cortisol concentrations (HCC). The present study aimed to investigate how different forms of perceived ethnic discrimination are associated with mental health outcomes, HCC, and protective factors in asylum seekers living in Germany. Methods: Somatic symptoms (PHQ-15), symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PDS), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), different forms of ethnic discrimination (active harm, passive harm, institutional discrimination), and protective factors (in-group identification, social support) were assessed cross-sectionally in 144 asylum seekers (average age 32 years, average duration of stay in Germany nine months; 67% men). HCC were obtained from 68 participants. Multiple regression analyses were conducted and social support and in-group identification were tested as potential moderators. Results: Active ethnic discrimination was positively associated with all assessed mental health outcomes, and all forms of ethnic discrimination positively correlated with depressive symptoms. Ethnic discrimination was not associated with HCC. When controlling for other possible influences (e.g. age, gender, traumatic events), passive harm was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (β = −0.17, p = .033) and active harm was positively associated (β = 0.28, p = .022) with somatic symptoms. After the inclusion of the protective factors, the associations were no longer significant. Lower social support was associated with higher depressive symptoms (β = −0.35, p < .001), posttraumatic stress (β = −0.77, p < .001), and somatic symptoms (β = −0.32, p < .001), but did not moderate the associations between ethnic discrimination and the mental health outcomes. Conclusions: Perceived ethnic discrimination may negatively influence asylum seekers’ mental health but does not seem to be associated with HCC. Social support was associated with psychological symptom severity, but did not buffer the effects of ethnic discrimination on mental health.

A Closer Look at Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Neutral Models

Abstract Litigation cases involving the expected earnings of minor children provide an ideal environment to examine the implications of public policies that attempt to mitigate racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination in the calculation of economic damages. This paper extends the existing literature on the implications of race, ethnicity, and gender neutral models by evaluating both educational attainment probabilities and estimated lifetime earnings within educational attainment categories. Recent related studies have focused on the educational attainment portion of the calculation only. We perform thousands of simulations of a child’s lifetime earnings using neutral estimations—a proxy for removing discrimination—and compare those estimates to ones in which race, ethnicity, and gender are taken into account. We find wide variation within racial and ethnic groups when earnings are incorporated into the analysis, consistent with prior research. Importantly, however, our findings pertain primarily to females, suggesting that interactions between gender and race and ethnicity are an added complexity. The practical implication of our findings is that neutral models can adversely impact individual members of protected groups. The results provide further guidance to policymakers who might be interested in the real-world outcomes associated with legislation that restricts how economists calculate economic damages.

A qualitative study exploring the perinatal experiences of social stress among first- and second-generation immigrant parents in Quebec, Canada

BackgroundPerinatal psychological distress adversely impacts the well-being and social adjustment of parents and their children. Expectant parents who have migrated may be at higher risk for perinatal psychological distress due to various migration-specific stressors and healthcare service barriers. Limited studies have examined the perceived determinants of perinatal distress in immigrant parents, particularly men. This study explored first and second-generation immigrant parents’ lived experiences of social stressors and facilitators of perinatal psychological well-being.MethodsParticipants were recruited by convenience and purposive sampling as part of a larger study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually with first and second-generation immigrant women and men in Quebec, Canada. An inductive thematic analysis was performed.ResultsSixteen women (age = 34.8 ± 3.7 years) and ten men (age = 35.1 ± 4.9 years) from various ethnic backgrounds participated in the study at 7.4 ± 0.73 and 7.5 ± 0.72 months postpartum, respectively. Three themes were identified: (1) cultural pressures (cultural differences in parenting, gender-related cultural pressures, health and baby-related practices), (2) health and social service access (social benefits and resources, and systemic barriers in health care), and (3) discrimination (physical appearance or parental-related discrimination, gender-related discrimination, ethnic-related discrimination). First-generation immigrant parents reported greater acculturative stress (i.e. mental health stigma, health care access) and ethnic discrimination concerns related to their distress. Among men, barriers include feeling as though the paternal role was devalued by society and not receiving consideration by health care.ConclusionsOur results highlight different social factors of perinatal well-being perceived by men and women from various ethnic and immigration backgrounds during the perinatal period. Perceived factors include macro-level factors, such as a country’s social climate, health and social policies and services, and social aspects of acculturative stress. Our findings suggest the need for continued efforts to challenge and eliminate discriminatory practices. Interventions and resources directed at first-generation immigrant parents should be bolstered. Understanding what parents perceive to facilitate or hinder their psychological well-being can help inform the development of tailored evidence-based programs and policies to better meet the mental health needs of Canadians and reduce gender disparities in the treatment of perinatal distress.

32 the Current State of Diversity and Workplace Experiences of Radiation Oncologists in Canada: A Survey of Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Disability, Race, Ethnicity, Religion, and Workplace Harassment and Discrimination

32 the Current State of Diversity and Workplace Experiences of Radiation Oncologists in Canada: A Survey of Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Disability, Race, Ethnicity, Religion, and Workplace Harassment and Discrimination

Расовое профилирование в Японии: всегда чужой

Racial inequality and discriminatory practices continue to disrupt the lives of millions of people and limit their opportunities, significantly reducing their quality of life. Despite the adopted international and national documents, the issue is far from resolved. Racial profiling has long been under international scrutiny and is a major concern. This is a special type of discrimination that flourishes in developed countries, in which law enforcement agencies are directly involved. The police practice of racial profiling, in which people are targeted or criminalized based on factors such as nationality, skin color or ethnic origin rather than objective evidence or illegal behavior, has become a persistent problem in Japan. Japan is an ethnically homogeneous state, so the situation with racial profiling is particularly acute, but Japanese authorities in the vast majority of cases ignore or hush up this problem, giving the green light to the further development of ethnic discrimination and creating a negative attitude towards foreigners in Japanese society.

Within the cracks of the cosmic race: Income inequalities by race and ethnicity in Latin America

While a considerable body of literature has studied ethnic inequalities and discrimination in Latin America, it is only in recent years that a growing number of studies examine income inequalities by race, defined as a skin color gradation. Furthermore, most research equates ethnic self-identification with race, leading to confusion on the root of the discrimination. Hardly any studies have addressed ethnicity and race as separate but intertwined characteristics to examine income disparities. It is crucial to address this scarcity to properly comprehend the effect miscegenation narratives have had in the region and the current state of wage inequalities. Hence, in this paper, I employ data from the Americas Barometer to investigate race and ethnicity income gaps in 17 Latin American countries. To do so, I applied non-linear regressions and decomposition methods, which allowed me to (i) separate the observable and non-observable factors of the income gap and (ii) decompose them by race and ethnicity and look at their intersection. In addition to the principal analyses, I conducted a series of robustness checks to evaluate the results’ consistency and perform heterogeneity analysis to examine income inequalities per country. The results show substantial differences in the average income of the different ethnic and racial groups, mainly driven by differences in observable characteristics like years of education and employment status. In addition, the heterogeneity analyses indicate that ethnic and racial disparities vary across Latin America and can be explained partially by unobserved variables like discrimination. Overall, the results suggest that skin color and ethnic self-identification should be accounted for simultaneously when evaluating inequality.

Trajectories of ethnic discrimination and school adjustment of ethnically minoritized adolescents: The role of school diversity climate.

This study investigated trajectories of ethnic discrimination experiences in school, diversity climates as contextual antecedents, and school adjustment as outcome. Latent-Growth-Mixture-Models of repeated self-reported discrimination over 3 years (2012-2015) by 1445 ethnically-minoritized adolescents of Turkish and Moroccan background in 70 Belgian schools (52.6% boys, Mage = 15.07) revealed four trajectories: low (72.5%), moderate (16.6%), initially-high (6.5%), or increasingly high discrimination (4.4%). Adolescents who attended schools with more minoritized peers, or schools that valued cultural diversity and equality, were more often in low-discrimination trajectories, which predicted better academic outcomes. Overall, school diversity climates can protect minoritized adolescents from experiencing persistent or initially high discrimination over time. Moreover, high discrimination at any point in schooling-initially or later-is harmful to adolescents' school adjustment.

Nature and causes of conflict among communities bordering in Borabu-Sotik Border Kenya

This study sought to analyse the nature and causes of conflict among communities bordering in Borabu-Sotik border Kenya. Cross-border conflicts have long existed worldwide, with recent ethnic and communal tensions affecting Africa, including Kenya. This study utilised descriptive statistics and a qualitative research design, focusing on churches at the Borabu-Sotik border, such as SDA, PAG, and Catholic, with a target population of 7,738 respondents. In the context of interfaith relations at Borabu and Sotik, churches play a significant role in conflict resolution through mediation and negotiations. Religious leaders actively mediate disputes and promote compromises between conflicting parties. Additionally, the church contributes to nation building by advocating for peace and supporting youth often involved in conflicts. The church collaborates with the government and other agencies to address social issues like land rights and ethnic discrimination, thus maintaining stability and security. The study used purposive and simple random sampling to select a sample size of 392 respondents, comprising 35 church leaders and 357 church members. Proportionate sampling methods were employed to categorize the sample according to churches. Stratified random sampling was usedto select the respondents, who were then given questionnaires. Data collection tools included interview schedules for church leaders, questionnaires for church members, focus group discussions, and a checklist. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, means, and standard deviations were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).