Influence of Ethnocentrism on Interethnic Bridging Social Capital: Mediating Effect of Interethnic Interaction

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session II
  In Paper Session: Intercultural Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

Framing interethnic integration in terms of bridging social capital, this study examines the direct effect of ethnocentrism on interethnic bridging social capital, and the mediating effect of interethnic interaction on the relationship. A total of 343 Malaysian undergraduates (200 Malays, 105 Chinese, and 38 Indians) in two public universities participated in a self-administered survey. Using structural equation modeling analysis, results support the hypothesized direct negative impact of ethnocentrism on interethnic bridging social capital, and the mediating effect of interethnic interaction on the relationship. The findings underscore the theoretical and practical significance of interethnic interaction to university students by clarifying its relationship with ethnocentrism in predicting students’ interethnic bridging social capital.

Authors

• Ezhar Tamam, U of Putra Malaysia

• Somayeh Mortazavi Ganji Ketab, U Putra Malaysia

• Jusang Bolong, U Putra Malaysia