Understanding the impact of cross-cultural friendships and residency status on multicultural attitudes: a UAE perspective
Article
Lamba, N., Mohideen, F., Virani, T., Kariappa, S., Aroz, V., Bind Ashraf, H., Udaipurwala, Z., Dsouza, C., Rodrigues, S., Paulson, A. and Patil, A. 2023. Understanding the impact of cross-cultural friendships and residency status on multicultural attitudes: a UAE perspective. International Journal of Sustainable Society. 15 (2), pp. 113-224. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSOC.2023.10057169
Type | Article |
---|---|
Title | Understanding the impact of cross-cultural friendships and residency status on multicultural attitudes: a UAE perspective |
Authors | Lamba, N., Mohideen, F., Virani, T., Kariappa, S., Aroz, V., Bind Ashraf, H., Udaipurwala, Z., Dsouza, C., Rodrigues, S., Paulson, A. and Patil, A. |
Abstract | With 80% of the population comprising expatriates, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) presents itself as a unique place to explore multicultural attitudes. This study examines how cross-cultural friendships and exposure to different cultures impact young adults' sociocultural development and social cynicism levels in the UAE. Two distinct surveys measuring sociocultural development and social cynicism were administered to dual samples consisting of 155 and 166 young adults. Participants provided information about their number of cross-cultural friendships and residency status. It was found that a) both number of cross-cultural friends and residency status did not impact participants' sociocultural development and b) that only residency status, not cross-cultural friendships, had a significant effect on social cynicism. Short-term expatriates showed the least social cynicism levels compared to long-term expatriates and locals. This research study provides a unique perspective on the effects of cross-cultural interactions on both positive and negative aspects of multicultural attitudes. In contrast to previous literature, the findings challenge the emphasis on diversity for development, and show that short-term expatriates feel welcomed and do not feel threatened by the host culture in the UAE. On a global scale, the study contributes to a better comprehension of negative multicultural attitudes and encourages the growth of sustainable cities. |
Sustainable Development Goals | 11 Sustainable cities and communities |
Middlesex University Theme | Sustainability |
Publisher | Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. |
Journal | International Journal of Sustainable Society |
ISSN | 1756-2538 |
Electronic | 1756-2546 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 22 Jun 2023 |
01 Jan 2023 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 04 Oct 2022 |
Submitted | 14 Aug 2020 |
Accepted | 06 Aug 2022 |
Output status | Published |
Accepted author manuscript | |
Additional information | Special Issue on: ERPBSS-2020 Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSOC.2023.10057169 |
Language | English |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/8q0q8
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