Does negative media representation shape adolescents’ discrimination towards Syrian refugees through threat perception and prejudice?

Abstract

The current study examined whether adolescents' desired social distance from Syrian refugees is shaped by negative media representation about refugees through threat perception and prejudice. Participants consisted of 587 Turkish high (Mage = 14.81, SD = 0.97) and middle school (Mage = 12.19, SD = 1.01) students. Negative media perception was measured in different contexts: TV programs, news, newspapers/magazines, and social media. Adolescents' desired social distance from Syrian refugees was measured through their preference for how socially distant from a Syrian peer in their neighborhood and school they wished to be. Perceived threat and prejudice were examined as possible mediators of the relationship between media exposure and discrimination. Results showed that more negative media representation was related to perceived threat and greater prejudice, which led to greater desired social distance from refugees. Findings provide important implications about how media can be an important tool in shaping intergroup attitudes towards Syrian refugees during adolescence.