Archive · 8 Aug 2025
Study: Economic Hardship Linked to Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
Imagine things are tough with money and society feels like it's falling apart.
A new study found that in these situations, people start to believe unfair ideas about immigrants, especially non-European ones.
This study, conducted in the UK and Ireland, showed that these beliefs can lead to people supporting discriminatory actions or even violence.
The study showed that when people feel financially stressed and hear conspiracy theories about immigrants, they are more likely to think about hurting them.
The research suggests that reducing poverty and restoring feelings of community are key to fighting against hostility toward immigrants.
A study links economic hardship and anti-immigrant sentiment.
People facing financial stress are more likely to experience societal breakdown.
This mindset increases belief in anti-immigrant conspiracy theories, especially against non-European groups.
The research involved six experiments with participants from the UK and Ireland.
Exposure to conspiracy narratives about immigrants, combined with economic hardship, can increase violent intent.
- Who
- Researchers from the University of Nottingham conducted the study.
- What
- A study reveals a link between economic hardship and anti-immigrant sentiment and violence.
- When
- The study was recently published.
- Where
- The study was conducted in the UK and Ireland.
- Why
- To understand the psychological drivers of hostility toward immigrants, and the impact of economic hardship on those attitudes.
Researchers' Stance
N/A
Impact of Economic Hardship
Researchers' Stance
Economic hardship fuels negative views toward immigrants.
N/A
The articles do not provide an opposing side's view on this matter.
- Study Publication
- Journal of Applied Social Psychology
- Key Finding
- Economic hardship links to anti-immigrant sentiment
- Focus
- UK and Ireland
- Core Concept
- Anomie (societal breakdown)
- Experimental Design
- Six studies