Social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: Xenophobic tendency and their consequences

The Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic process caused problems in various fields in societies. Particularly the problems in the field of health and economy reached a certain point, and studies in these areas have intensified. In addition, the pandemic also increased psychosocial problems among individuals in the society. With the spread of the virus, people's living conditions changed. Their lives were restricted due to the physical distancing measures taken, and this led to the occurrence of various psychological problems. The negativities in their living conditions and the problems they are exposed to led people to look for scapegoats. Therefore, negative attitudes towards migrants who are regarded as foreigners began to spread in the society. Considered as fear, hatred and prejudice towards foreigners, xenophobia increased. In the present study, it is aimed to evaluate the factors that lead to xenophobic tendencies, the effects of xenophobic tendencies and various steps to prevent xenophobic tendencies during the COVID-19 pandemic process. In this regard, the relevant literature has been reviewed. The spread of xenophobic tendencies in the society is seen as an important risk in ensuring social cohesion. Thus, xenophobic tendencies should be prevented. As such, necessary steps should be taken to prevent unfounded information and prejudices about migrants during the pandemic process. Particular attention should be paid to the influence of the media and politicians. Social and economic inequalities experienced by migrants should be eliminated. Their access to social and judicial institutions, and educational and healthcare establishment in the society should be facilitated. Effective mental health services should be provided in order to reduce the negative impacts of xenophobic tendencies on migrants. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Turkish) Koronavirus hastaligi-19 (COVID-19) pandemisi surecinde, toplumlarda cesitli alanlarda sorunlar yasanmistir. Ozellikle saglik ve ekonomi alanindaki sorunlar onemli noktalara ulasmis ve bu alanlardaki calismalar yogunlasmistir. Ote yandan pandeminin toplumda bireyler arasinda psikososyal sorunlari da artirdigi gorulmustur. Virusun yayilmasiyla birlikte insanlarin yasam kosullari degismistir. Alinan fiziksel mesafe onlemleri kapsaminda yasamlari kisitlanmis ve bu durum cesitli psikolojik sorunlarin ortaya cikmasina neden olmustur. Yasam kosullarindaki olumsuzluklar ve maruz kalinan sorunlar, insanlari gunah kecisi aramaya yonlendirmistir. Sonuc olarak toplumda yabanci olarak degerlendirilen gocmenlere yonelik olumsuz tutumlar yayginlasmaya baslamistir. Yabancilara karsi korku, nefret ve on yargi olarak degerlendirilen zenofobi artmistir. Mevcut calismada COVID-19 pandemisi surecinde zenofobik egilimlere yol acan faktorler, zenofobik egilimlerin etkileri ve zenofobik egilimleri onlemeye yonelik cesitli adimlarin degerlendirilmesi amaclanmistir. Bu amacla ilgili literatur gozden gecirilmistir. Toplumda zenofobik egilimlerin yayginlasmasi, sosyal uyumun saglanmasi konusunda onemli bir risk olarak degerlendirilmektedir. Bu nedenle zenofobik egilimlerin onlenmesi gerekmektedir. Bu kapsamda pandemi surecinde gocmenlere dair asilsiz bilgilerin ve on yargilarin onune gecilmesi icin gerekli adimlar atilmalidir. Ozellikle medyanin ve politikacilarin etkisi dikkate alinmalidir. Gocmenlerin yasadigi sosyal ve ekonomik esitsizlikler giderilmelidir. Toplumdaki sosyal ve adli kurumlara, egitim ve saglik hizmeti sunan kuruluslara erisimleri kolaylastirilmalidir. Zenofobik egilimlerin gocmenler uzerindeki olumsuz etkilerini azaltmak icin etkin ruh sagligi hizmeti sunulmalidir. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Travel-at-home: Paradoxical effects of a pandemic threat on domestic tourism

This study introduces the evolutionary concept of assortative sociality and explores how it moderates pandemic anxiety effects on attitudes towards tourism and travel decisions. Based on a large-scale online survey (N = 4630) conducted in three European countries, we demonstrate that COVID-19 anxiety triggered assortative sociality, which reflects both xenophobic and ethnocentric traits. This changes perceptions of domestic and international travel attractiveness, and further leads to travel choices prioritizing domestic destinations. At the same time, xenophobic and ethnocentric traits also affected citizen attitudes towards supporting the domestic tourism industry - an industry that accommodates foreigners. In conclusion, the paper discusses the seemingly paradoxical effects of a pandemic threat on domestic versus international tourism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Behavior change during COVID-19: A matter of life and death? [References]

During the COVID pandemic, the human race has experienced the world unlike ever before. There have been instances of great success as well as instances of profound failure. The examination of how threat and anxiety manifest to contribute to either success or failure has revealed two distinct strategies. To mitigate existential anxiety, some individuals resort to prejudice, violence, and the pro-authoritarian orientation. Other individuals deploy intuitive strategies that enable them to continue life constructively. The sensitivity to incentivization and coercion by individuals who lack the self-regulation ability to deal with their anxiety effectively suggests that de-radicalization at the system level is needed to limit the impact of extreme views on society. Second, the development of social policy that condemns anxiety-provoking behaviors, such violence and discrimination, can restore social cohesion. This chapter notes that behavior change is challenging even under peaceful conditions. It emphasizes the existential dimension of the current crisis. The chapter discusses the importance of reducing a sense of threat, both psychologically and socially, so that responses to anxiety and fear are not channeled toward common but maladaptive reactions such as aggression and xenophobia. It points out that these aims require insightful social policies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Xenophobia and anti-immigrant attitudes in the time of COVID-19

The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nations and individuals has almost certainly led to increased feelings of threat and competition, heightened uncertainty, lack of control, and a rise in authoritarianism. In this paper we use social psychological and sociological theories to explore the anticipated effects on xenophobia and anti-immigrant attitudes worldwide. Based on our analysis, we discuss recommendations for further research required during the ups and downs of the pandemic, as well as during recovery. We also discuss the need for research to address how to best counteract this expected surge in xenophobia and anti-immigrant attitudes. As the pandemic persists, it will be important to systematically examine its effects on xenophobia and anti-immigrant attitudes, and to develop and implement strategies that keep these negative attitudes at bay. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

In place / out of place: Punjabi-Sikhs in Reno, Nevada

Plenty of research has focused on major immigrant destination metropolitan areas (Singer, Hardwick, & Brettell, 2008);however, little work has focused on small to mid-sized urban areas and re-emerging immigrant gateways (Singer, 2015). The greater Reno metropolitan area in Nevada, which in the early 21st-century is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, has re-emerged as an immigrant destination, yet it has been largely overlooked in scholarship. With this work, I fill the gap in the literature by exploring the lived experiences of an understudied, BIPOC transnational group (Punjabi-Sikhs) in a small to mid-sized and previously overlooked re-emerging immigrant gateway (the greater Reno area). This study investigated the socio-spatialities of Punjabi-Sikhs and their experiences with geographies of inclusion/exclusion during the early twenty-twenties, a period broadly characterized by the COVID-19 pandemic, a contentious political election, Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests, and a surge in neo-nationalism and anti-Asian sentiment. I argue that the national and international public issues that became ever more apparent in the early twenty-twenties uniquely affected BIPOC and migratory groups in re-emerging immigrant gateways and small to mid-sized urban areas and resulted in new and unexpected socio-spatialities and geographies of inclusion and exclusion. Specifically, this work focuses on how Punjabi-Sikhs experience and navigate these new and complex geographies in the greater Reno area of Northern Nevada. To better understand these complex geographies, this research focused on three topics: (1) how the lived experiences and socio-spatialities of Punjabi- Sikhs have been impacted and navigated, (2) the implications of losing transnational gathering spaces during the pandemic, and (3) how the Punjabi-Sikh body has been Othered in everyday spaces during this tumultuous period. The qualitative phenomenological analysis presented in this dissertation relied on participant observation, semistructured interviews, and focus groups with fifteen Punjabi-Sikh men and women who resided in the greater Reno area. Fieldwork was conducted during the 2020-2021 global pandemic, the 2020 presidential election, and the final year of Donald J. Trump's presidency, a presidency widely described as embracing a neonationalistic agenda. When considering the current ever-changing social and political atmosphere, some general trends are evident: a consistent rise in anti-Muslim, anti-minority, and anti-immigrant discourse;increased xenophobic political rhetoric that translates into socio-spatial exclusion;and a lack of worldly knowledge among members of the general public that results in increased negative stereotyping and discrimination against Punjabi-Sikhs and other BIPOC and migratory communities. However, the findings of this research also show that Punjabi-Sikhs are incredibly resilient and have developed sophisticated strategies for navigating adverse social and political landscapes. Thus, this research highlights the strength acquired through resiliency by these communities into creative and effective solutions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

"Not Your Model Minority": An Inquiry on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

The realities of COVID-19 have clearly revealed the myth of the model minority, a stereotype in which Asian Americans are seen as successful and high achieving in contrast to other Communities of Color. An ever-present, but sometimes seemingly dormant, anti-Asian racism in the United States is reflective of patterns in U.S. immigration history. Yet, neither is often taught in PK-12 education. In this article, the authors briefly outline the history of two major policies in Asian American immigration history and share an inquiry designed to help students explore the institutionalized racism that has defined who is a "good" immigrant.

In place / out of place: Punjabi-Sikhs in Reno, Nevada

Plenty of research has focused on major immigrant destination metropolitan areas (Singer, Hardwick, & Brettell, 2008);however, little work has focused on small to mid-sized urban areas and re-emerging immigrant gateways (Singer, 2015). The greater Reno metropolitan area in Nevada, which in the early 21st-century is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, has re-emerged as an immigrant destination, yet it has been largely overlooked in scholarship. With this work, I fill the gap in the literature by exploring the lived experiences of an understudied, BIPOC transnational group (Punjabi-Sikhs) in a small to mid-sized and previously overlooked re-emerging immigrant gateway (the greater Reno area). This study investigated the socio-spatialities of Punjabi-Sikhs and their experiences with geographies of inclusion/exclusion during the early twenty-twenties, a period broadly characterized by the COVID-19 pandemic, a contentious political election, Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests, and a surge in neo-nationalism and anti-Asian sentiment. I argue that the national and international public issues that became ever more apparent in the early twenty-twenties uniquely affected BIPOC and migratory groups in re-emerging immigrant gateways and small to mid-sized urban areas and resulted in new and unexpected socio-spatialities and geographies of inclusion and exclusion. Specifically, this work focuses on how Punjabi-Sikhs experience and navigate these new and complex geographies in the greater Reno area of Northern Nevada. To better understand these complex geographies, this research focused on three topics: (1) how the lived experiences and socio-spatialities of Punjabi- Sikhs have been impacted and navigated, (2) the implications of losing transnational gathering spaces during the pandemic, and (3) how the Punjabi-Sikh body has been Othered in everyday spaces during this tumultuous period. The qualitative phenomenological analysis presented in this dissertation relied on participant observation, semistructured interviews, and focus groups with fifteen Punjabi-Sikh men and women who resided in the greater Reno area. Fieldwork was conducted during the 2020-2021 global pandemic, the 2020 presidential election, and the final year of Donald J. Trump's presidency, a presidency widely described as embracing a neonationalistic agenda. When considering the current ever-changing social and political atmosphere, some general trends are evident: a consistent rise in anti-Muslim, anti-minority, and anti-immigrant discourse;increased xenophobic political rhetoric that translates into socio-spatial exclusion;and a lack of worldly knowledge among members of the general public that results in increased negative stereotyping and discrimination against Punjabi-Sikhs and other BIPOC and migratory communities. However, the findings of this research also show that Punjabi-Sikhs are incredibly resilient and have developed sophisticated strategies for navigating adverse social and political landscapes. Thus, this research highlights the strength acquired through resiliency by these communities into creative and effective solutions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

"What's Going to Happen to Us?" Cultivating Partnerships with Immigrant Families in an Adverse Political Climate

With the increasing numbers of immigrant and refugee students across the US K--12 system, the xenophobia of the current political climate, and the effects of COVID19 on the immigrant community, it is critical to examine schools that serve immigrant students and their families. Drawing on case studies of two public high schools that exclusively serve immigrant students, authors Adriana Villavicencio, Chandler Patton Miranda, Jia-Lin Liu, and Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng examine how educators frame the current political context and how this frame informs their collective approach to engaging with and supporting families. The study finds that these schools shifted norms of parental engagement by proactively forging relationships with families, cultivating alliances with community partners, and mediating within families around challenges related to work and higher education to benefit the communities they serve. In so doing, these school actors have shifted the norms of parental engagement to center the perspectives, voices, and experiences of immigrant families.