Multicultural Society Research Articles

The toll of prejudice: The longitudinal interplay between ethnic prejudice and well-being in adolescence

Ethnic prejudice has negative effects on the well-being of ethnic minorities. However, less is known about the consequences of holding negative attitudes toward diversity for ethnic majority youth in current multicultural societies. Across two studies, the current research examined the medium-term (Study I) and day-to-day (Study II) reciprocal associations between affective and cognitive prejudice and several well-being outcomes (i.e., subjective, psychological, and social well-being, physical health, and sleep) among ethnic majority adolescents. In Study I ( N = 1103; Mage = 15.66, 48.59% females), ethnic prejudice was found to be mostly linked longitudinally and concurrently to decreases in well-being indicators, although with a few exceptions, at both the within- and between-person levels. Conversely, in Study II ( N = 458; Mage = 15.59, 54.77% females), poorer subjective well-being and physical health were associated with increases in prejudice on the next day. Together, these findings suggest a spiraling effect whereby poor well-being leads to short-term increases in prejudice, which in turn contribute to medium-term decreases in well-being. Overall, this research highlights for the first time the intertwined nature of prejudice and well-being among ethnic majority youth and suggests the need to support adolescents in navigating the diversity of current societies.

Ideological tensions between the English language teaching system and cosmopolitan aspirations in the South Korean context: reflections from a group of bilingual Koreans

ABSTRACT Increasing cross-border interconnectedness continuously shapes perceptions and ideologies of the English language. This qualitative research explores the complex tensions between local ideologies and globalisation influences on English teaching practices in South Korea from the perspective of bilingual English-speaking Koreans. Findings highlight that English serves as crucial cultural capital, influencing social mobility, but the prevailing prestige ideology often leads to an instrumental approach to learning that may hinder effective communicative competence. There is a noticeable tension between the narrow focus on English for competitive advantage and the broader global perspectives of younger Koreans. Although the current English Language Teaching (ELT) system emphasises local competitiveness, students’ increasing exposure to transnational influences necessitates a shift in teaching strategies. To better reflect the realities of a multicultural society, this study suggests adapting ELT practices to focus more on identity negotiation and less on rigid linguistic structures, considering the diverse experiences within contemporary Korean society.

The Acculturation of Pakistanis in Singapore

ABSTRACT This article explores the process of acculturation for Pakistanis in Singapore and their later generation descendants from the country’s colonial period to the present day, focusing on the complexities brought about by migration, colonialism, and nationhood. It analyses how the historical context, namely Singapore’s unique position as a multicultural British colony situated in the Malay peninsula has shaped the experiences of this diaspora community in a variety of ways. Using qualitative research methods and employing cross-cultural psychologist John Berry’s acculturation strategies and multicultural adaptation hypothesis, the article argues that the acculturation process has been facilitated by the sense of cultural and socio-economic security among Pakistani immigrants and their families, amidst evolving political developments and top-down policies during Singapore’s transition from a British colony to an independent nation. The findings of this study will contribute to our understanding of diaspora experiences in multicultural societies and provide insights into the complex dynamics of acculturation in a rapidly changing social context.

The Role of Community Traditional Institutions in Dispute Resolution in Multicultural Communities

Indonesian society is pluralistic, consisting of various ethnic groups, religions, and customs. This diversity can trigger various disputes in multicultural societies. This research aims to analyze the role of societal institutions in dispute-resolution efforts in multicultural communities. This study uses a qualitative research method with a literature study approach, focusing on societal institutions as the primary subjects, specifically their role and effectiveness in managing disputes. Data from various sources were analyzed in three stages: data reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing. The research results show that society institutions play a significant role in resolving disputes through mechanisms such as deliberation for consensus, customs, and customary sanctions. Strengthening the role of these institutions is essential for maintaining social harmony by increasing community understanding of customary law and building synergy between customary institutions and state law.

Fostering Mother Language and Cultural Preservation: Perspectives of Three Latina Immigrant Mothers in the United States

ABSTRACT This article explores the experiences of three Latina women who migrated to the United States from different countries and navigated the challenges of raising their children in a cross-cultural environment while striving to preserve their cultural heritage and language. Through narrative interviews and thematic analysis, the study highlights the significance of language as a cultural bridge and the advantages of bilingualism in a multicultural society. The findings reveal that these mothers actively engage in teaching their children their native language, emphasizing the importance of language in maintaining cultural roots and connections with their home countries. They recognize the economic advantages of bilingualism, believing it provides their children with increased job opportunities and professional advantages. Additionally, the study underscores the sacrifices these mothers make for their children’s education and the crucial role of parental involvement in language development and cultural preservation. The findings have implications for policymakers, educators, and parents, emphasizing the importance of supporting bilingual education and recognizing the value of cultural diversity in society. By fostering bilingualism and cultural preservation, these mothers shape their children’s cultural identity, expand their opportunities, and prepare them for success in a diverse and globalized world.

Student experiences of cultural competence encounters during MPharm placements and foundation year training

Abstract Introduction Cultural competence is the ability of a healthcare professional to work effectively with clients from different backgrounds. With 18.3% of the UK population identifying with non-white1, pharmacists need to be culturally competent as they have a patient-facing role. Having a multicultural society would require culturally competent pharmacists to effectively deliver healthcare services to patients of different cultures. Exploring pharmacy students' experiences of CC encounters during their MPharm placements and foundation year training is crucial as it helps identify the challenges and barriers they may face when providing healthcare to diverse populations. Understanding these experiences can inform the development of effective training programs to enhance cultural competence among future pharmacists and highlight the impact of cultural factors on patient care and outcomes. Ultimately, this exploration contributes to the overall goal of improving healthcare delivery and promoting patient-centred, culturally sensitive pharmacy practice. Aim This study aimed to explore experiences of student regarding cultural competence encounters during placements and training. Methods A qualitative study was conducted between Oct – Dec 2023. All currently enrolled students in Parts 3, 4 and the foundation year were eligible to participate. Convenience sampling was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online using a pilot-tested script. Interviews were audio and video recorded and held online through a Microsoft Teams account, where an automatic electronic transcript was generated. Initial codes were generated from each transcript, to create themes and sub-themes. The researcher scrutinised the themes before defining and naming them. Ethical clearance was obtained. Results A total of 15 students (8 males and 7 females) participated in the study. Four participants were from year 3, five were from year 4, and six were from the foundation year. Six participants were from Asian backgrounds, four were Black, and three were White. All students had a placement in hospital, while 14 had a placement in community pharmacy in addition to hospital, and 8 had a placement in a GP surgery in addition to the hospital and community pharmacy. Key themes identified were 1) Impact of culture on patient health including language barriers and ethnic diversity, 2) Influence of personal culture on practice during placements and training such as using patient’s language to communicate, personal cultural awareness, and the influence of religious teachings, 3) Recommendations for improving cultural competence training in MPharm programme such as having more case studies. Conclusion This study provides a unique exploration into the experiences of pharmacy students and shows the importance of immersing in diverse cultural groups during placements and foundation training. There is a need to enhance pharmacy students’ training through curricular reforms that build on theoretical knowledge to instil confidence during placements and training. This approach will equip future pharmacists to navigate complex cultural dynamics, to meet the demands of an inclusive healthcare system. Ultimately this research extends beyond the current reforms to the MPharm curriculum, and advocates for an equitable and inclusive healthcare system to reduce health disparities. The predominance of participants from Asian backgrounds may limit the generalisability of the findings. Reference 1. Office for National Statistics. Measuring equality: A guide for the collection and classification of ethnic group, national identity and religion data in the UK. Office for National Statistics 2021 https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/classificationsandstandards/measuringequality/ethnicgroupnationalidentityandreligion. Accessed 20 Dec 2023.

PSIT communication, collaboration, and inclusion: needs, challenges, and current proposals

The 21st century has involved several changes at the social, economic, educational, health, etc. levels, brought about by events of different types, such as, for example, the constant conflicts in different parts of the world (including the Afghan conflict or the war in Ukraine), natural disasters caused by climate change, or health crises such as COVID-19 (Valero-Garcés and Alcalde Peñalver, 2024). These situations have often resulted in humanitarian crises that have involved large-scale population movements (Valero-Garcés and Alcalde Peñalver, 2024). This increase in population movements has been a challenge in itself as it has led to the configuration of new multicultural societies across the globe (Valero-Garcés and Lázaro Gutiérrez, 2016). This new reality implies not only coexistence but also access to basic public rights and services for the host population who does not speak the main language as well as the fulfilment of human rights (Vitalaru, forthcoming); in these different contexts, communication is essential. The very characteristics of PSIT, with its variety of contexts and situations, imply a series of challenges for different groups (users, service providers, and translators and interpreters) related to the provision and availability of services; provision and availability depend on the field in question, the availability of professionals for all the language combinations involved, the existence of training programmes, the quality of the training available, access to such training, etc. These challenges have been identified through the practice of the profession as well as through more specific research and are all related in some way to professionalisation. This article gathers some of the needs and challenges raised in different studies focused on Spain, as well as a summary of the topics covered in the articles included in this thematic issue of the journal. The contributions in this issue attempt to offer, from different perspectives (professional practice, training, and research), results, reflections, and actions considering the variety of PSIT situations and tasks. As this is a special thematic issue, the issue includes only articles and interviews.

Plastic Surgeons and Portraits Before the Invention of Photography.

The aim of this paper is to review portraits from the Renaissance to the Romantic eras, created before the invention of photography, and to discuss their usefulness to plastic surgeons. Before photography and film were invented, portraits played a critical role in documenting individuals, conveying power, and immortalizing people's appearance and identity. Portraits were not merely simple representations of a person's physical appearance; they played a crucial role in conveying the subject's inner qualities and social position, as well as the cultural values of the era. Artists often idealized or embellished certain features to align with the cultural and aesthetic ideals of their time. Portraits of the Renaissance to Romantic eras could have a significant impact on plastic surgeons' understanding of beauty and aesthetics. A plastic surgeon drawing on Renaissance ideals might prioritize symmetry and balanced facial features, which continue to be regarded as attractive in contemporary beauty standards. Beauty standards during these times favored curvaceous and lively figures, potentially inspiring modern plastic surgeons to focus on creating more dramatic or unique appearances. A plastic surgeon inspired by Romantic art might value uniqueness and avoid rigid beauty standards, focusing instead on enhancing a person's natural traits rather than conforming to a singular "ideal" appearance. Plastic surgeons could gain a richer, more classical perspective on aesthetics by studying historical art, potentially leading to more personalized and balanced outcomes. However, integrating these classical ideals into modern practice must also consider the diverse and varying definitions of beauty prevalent in today's multicultural society.

Islamic Education of Civil Society in the Perspective of Sociology

This research aims to explore the role of Islamic religious education in shaping civil society through the perspective of religious sociology. Islamic religious education aims to make humans the caliph on earth and integrate religious teachings with the social system that prevails in society. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method with a literature approach, and data analysis is carried out using the content analysis method. The study results show that Islamic religious education facilitates understanding social concepts because Islam has a social purpose. In addition, the sociological approach plays an important role in understanding the meanings of the Qur'an as it relates to social life. Sociology, from the perspective of religion, is a view of life that is considered important in people's lives and has a close relationship with each other. Religion also plays a role in shaping the social structure of society. In the study of the sociology of religion, the focus is on social phenomena in religious societies, not only on religious teachings themselves. This study concludes that Islamic religious education is important in shaping the character of a civilized and common welfare-oriented society. For further research, it is recommended to conduct an empirical study on implementing Islamic religious education in a multicultural society and its impact on social harmony.

MISIOLOGI KONTEKSTUAL DI INDONESIA: SOLUSI TEOLOGIS DAN SOSIAL UNTUK MASYARAKAT PLURALIS

In Indonesia, a pluralistic society with diverse cultures, religions, ethnicities, and worldviews poses significant challenges to church missiology. Horizontal conflicts related to religion and ethnicity are a frequent occurrence in the course of the nation's journey. This article explores the theological and social approaches to dealing with the issue's complexity. It investigates how the church can be a positive change agent in promoting interfaith dialogue, building social harmony, and strengthening cross-cultural understanding. Using a research method that involves theological study and social analysis expressed in a descriptive qualitative method with a literature study approach to understand the church's and missionaries' role in contemporary society. The conclusion is the need for the church to understand the dynamics of pluralism in the context of missiology in Indonesia so that it can provide a theological approach strategy in missiology for multicultural societies and also the importance of social strategies in facing the challenges of missiology in contemporary society. Finally, it can provide social and cultural impacts and implications for the practice of missiology in Indonesia. hence highlighting the need for a holistic approach that integrates theology with the social context of society, so that missiology can play an effective role in facing contemporary challenges and expanding its positive impact in social and spiritual transformation in Indonesia.

Good Governance Asean Countries With Education Policy In 3 Southern Border Provinces Of Thailand: Yala, Pattani, And Narathiwat

Educational management in the three southern border provinces must be arranged following the context of a multicultural society with diversity from other regions of Thailand Because people in the three southern border provinces have different language education from other provinces in Thailand, such as Malay and Arabic, etc. Therefore, this article is essential to those involved in sharing. Find the direction of educational management in the three southern border provinces and educational opportunities that people in the area should receive, both domestically and internationally. The quality of Education in the multicultural society in the three southern border provinces consists of academic achievements according to the curriculum of the Ministry of Education, including people who graduated from abroad can compare their qualifications to work in Thailand. Desirable characteristics and skills in a multicultural society, including education policy in the area with details of Good Governance involved because some people in the area can study abroad. In this regard, one of the elements that are important in the development of sustainable and long-term quality Education in the three southern border provinces is parental participation in education management. Therefore, those involved in education management in the three southern border provinces should seriously and continuously develop the quality of Education there.

Countering Ethnic Minority-Targeted Hate Speech in a Multicultural Society

Countering Ethnic Minority-Targeted Hate Speech in a Multicultural Society

Young Europeans’ Geo-Political Identities: A Poststructural Analysis

This study analyses the way young Europeans, aged between 10 and 20, construct their sense of identity with geo-political entities such as the nation, the state and the European Union; how these are expressed; and how young people manage the potential multiplicity of identities. It re-analyses earlier data, some 224 transcripts of young Europeans discussing their identities and sense of attachment to the geo-political entities of the state and the nation. This study looks specifically at how they discuss affiliations to a country or nation and does so within the historical context of the development of European nations in the 19th and 20th centuries and the ‘strict definition’ of nationality, as based on either birthplace or parentage. The young people’s discussions identify a wide range of reasons for attachment (or not) to one or more states: these include parentage, birthplace, passports, culture, language, residence, etc., many of which are incompatible with each other. Their response to this is often to profess multiple identities, switching to use that is most appropriate to a particular context or contingency. How does this behaviour meet the various models of identity formation, such as the psychosocial, the socio-cultural, and the poststructuralist? These young people also offer a range of qualities or values that they expect a state to uphold and deliver and are sometimes critical of states’ behaviour in this area. The combination of these attributes and qualities leads to a range of attitudes towards a polity or polities, ranging from acceptance of their status to indifference. The explanations suggested in this paper are that globalisation and migration have led to the realisation that the ‘strict definitions’ of nationality are no longer appropriate, and there are new potential attributes for identity, and secondly, that the development of supranational codification and the implementation of human rights are weakening the sovereignty of states. Together, these two factors reduce the perception of the requirement to develop a single overriding national identity. This combination of multiple identities and recognising the importance of human rights values is most commonly found amongst young people who have grown up in multicultural societies, often urban, and the corollary of this is that combination is least likely to be found among the older population in more rural, monocultural settlements.

Fostering Multicultural Community Harmony to Enhance Peace and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s)

Purpose: This service aims to foster harmony in a multicultural community in the city of Solo as a concrete step to increase peace and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Theoretical Framework: This study uses a cultural integration thinking framework and a participatory approach to building social harmony. The focus is on developing an understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, as well as increasing positive interactions between ethnicities and religions to create an inclusive environment. Methods: This service uses a participatory approach involving a variety of local stakeholders, including ethnic and religious communities, local governments, and community institutions. Activities include organizing intercultural dialogue workshops, cultural diversity training, and public campaigns to promote tolerance and peace. Results and Conclusion: The results of this service show an increased awareness of cultural diversity and appreciation for differences among the people of Solo. Inter-ethnic and religious interactions are increasing, creating a stronger foundation for social harmony. In conclusion, participatory and integrative approaches are effective in building harmony in multicultural societies to support peace and sustainable development. Implications: This service has a positive impact by increasing tolerance, reducing social conflicts, and strengthening social cohesion in the city of Solo. The impact is also seen in increasing community participation in local development activities and achieving related SDGs targets. Originality/value: Its uniqueness lies in its participatory approach that actively involves all relevant parties, as well as focusing on cultural integration as the main foundation for the development of sustainable social harmony in a multicultural environment such as the city of Solo.

Greek Cypriot and immigrant students’ attitudes and perceptions of acculturation, ethnic identity and self-esteem in the Republic of Cyprus

Abstract The multicultural Cypriot society is called upon to face its increasing diversity and manage the relations between its inhabitants (locals and immigrants) for peaceful coexistence. The present study compared acculturation processes of Ιmmigrant students to those of local primary school students aged 11–12 years regarding social adjustment, ethnic identity and self-esteem. Results showed a stronger orientation toward their Country of Origin for both Cypriot and Ιmmigrant students regardless of the nationality of immigrants’. Furthermore, Cypriots and Ιmmigrant students had more group contact with their compatriots than children from other countries. Lastly, the strategies of acculturation and the stages of forming ethnic identity were correlated to Ιmmigrants’ self-esteem levels. The findings highlight the need for new directions in educational policies in the country. The educational system must become flexible and effectively adaptable to the recent changes to form the foundation of cultural coexistence of all the island’s inhabitants, ensuring social cohesion.

‘What would they think of us?’ The impact of the China threat narrative in Australian media on PRC migrants and social cohesion

This paper engages closely with the perspectives of a particular cohort of Chinese-Australians: first-generation Mandarin-speaking migrants in Australia from the PRC. It aims to examine their responses and reactions to mainstream English-language news stories about their community and about the PRC. Drawing on data from a large quantitative survey, 20 in-depth interviews, and three group discussions, the paper explores three dimensions: how members of this cohort see themselves portrayed in the media; how they see the PRC being portrayed in the media; and what impact they believe such portrayals have on the Australian general public. The discussion aims to update the prevailing analytical framework of hostile media perception, as well as to shed light on the challenges facing the social cohesion agenda in multicultural societies that are a consequence of rapidly changing geopolitical dynamics.

The Relationship between the Gospel and Culture: A Theological Analysis and Social Perspective in a Contemporary Context

In today's era of globalization and cultural pluralism, the relationship between the Gospel and culture has become an increasingly complex issue. Various theological perspectives have developed to understand how the message of the Gospel interacts with diverse cultural values and practices. The debate surrounding accommodation or resistance to local and global cultures requires a deeper examination within the context of Christian theology. This study aims to explore the relationship between the Gospel and culture from theological and social perspectives, as well as how this relationship influences the practice of Christian faith in contemporary multicultural and dynamic societies. The approach used in this research is qualitative theological analysis, with a literature review of contextual theology texts and cultural studies. The collected data were critically analyzed to identify patterns of interaction between the Gospel and culture in the modern social context. The research finds that the Gospel can interact with culture through a dialectical process involving acceptance, adaptation, and transformation of cultural values. In some cases, culture enriches religious practices, but in other situations, there are tensions that require deep theological reflection to ensure that Gospel values are not compromised by certain cultural practices. The relationship between the Gospel and culture is dynamic and contextual. It is important for Christian theology to develop a flexible approach while adhering to the core teachings of the Gospel in the face of cultural changes. In this way, the Gospel can remain relevant and significant in the lives of contemporary societies without losing its integrity.

Legitimacy and Deeply Embedded Core Normative Values in Different Social Groups

Core normative value theory asserts that perceptions of the legitimacy of law enforcement authorities are not just a product of these agencies’ conduct and performance, but are also based on deeply embedded ideological worldviews. This study further tests the theory, exploring the diverse relationships between values and legitimacy in multicultural societies. We use Israel’s highly divided society as a case study. Our data were derived from a survey among a representative sample of more than 1,600 Israelis from seven social groups—mainstream Jews, ultra-Orthodox Jews, Jewish residents of the occupied territories, immigrants from the former Soviet Union, Druze, Muslims, and Arab Christians. The results point to significant differences in levels of the core normative values and legitimacy across the seven groups, and differences between the groups in associations between the values and legitimacy, controlling for socio-demographic variables. The findings support the main premises of the theory.

The eroding power of anti-immigrant attitudes for social cohesion in Singapore: more myth than fact?

This paper analyses the impact of anti-immigrant attitudes on social cohesion in Singapore. The OLS regression models show that anti-immigrant attitudes have a negative influence on social cohesion in all analyses, but this influence is weak and falls behind the ambiguous influence of patriotism. In some of the data, there is a significant difference in social cohesion between the centre and the peripheral districts of Singapore, which can only be attributed to a small extent to composition effects. The results of the analyses thus show that the partially state-led measures for social cohesion in a post-colonial society are indeed effective. However, the multicultural Singaporean society obviously also reacts to cohesion policy measures in a group-specific manner. It is noticeable that social cohesion and an open culture for newcomers cannot be thought of separately. These policies should therefore focus even more strongly than before on social cohesion as societal cohesion.

Perioperative medication therapy for Muslim patients in Germany undergoing oncological surgery: a retrospective study

PurposeEngagement of healthcare professionals with patients from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds is crucial in our multicultural society, where miscommunication and errors in medical history taking can lead to incorrect treatment. In particular, Muslim patients may present unique considerations due to their specific cultural and religious beliefs, which can significantly impact treatment outcomes. This study focuses on perioperative medication therapy for patients undergoing upper and lower gastrointestinal tract and pancreatic tumor surgery, specifically examining whether Islamic beliefs were duly considered in medication selection compared to a matching patient cohort.Materials and methodsData from January 2004 to July 2023 were analyzed. Muslim patients were identified using the onomastic method and matched with non-Muslim patients at a 1:3 ratio based on age, gender, and procedure. Analysis included examination of subcutaneous, oral, and intravenous medications, with attention to ingredients and compatibility with Islamic principles.ResultsAmong 5272 patients, only 5 met the study’s inclusion criteria as Muslim patients, undergoing procedures such as anterior rectum resection, gastrectomy, and pancreatic head resection. Their religious affiliations were not documented in the admission records. According to the matched-pair analysis, consistent treatment was performed regardless of religious beliefs. All patients received subcutaneous medication, primarily enoxaparin, instead of fondaparinux, an Islam-compliant alternative. Intravenous heparin was used once for short period. Contrary to Islamic dietary restrictions and the availability of alternatives, capsules containing animal-derived gelatin and other non-compliant medications were administered orally.ConclusionThis study underscores the importance of acknowledging Muslim patients’ cultural and religious backgrounds in the perioperative setting, as failure to do so may lead healthcare professionals to overlook their potential alternative medication needs, which are essential for providing tailored medical care in modern societies. Integration of diversity-related topics into medical curricula is essential for better preparing physicians for clinical practice and ensuring patient-centered care.