Scapegoat citizens in times of austerity: the impact of the crisis on the immigrant population in Spain

Erecting Walls Versus Tearing Them Down: Inclusion and the (False) Paradox of Diversity in Times of Economic Upheaval

“…Research indicates that people are more likely to blame 'the other' for their economic hardships, and as a result are more likely to express racism, prejudice, and xenophobia (Bone, 2012;Lesińska, 2014;Barbero, 2015). Research indicates that people are more likely to blame 'the other' for their economic hardships, and as a result are more likely to express racism, prejudice, and xenophobia (Bone, 2012;Lesińska, 2014;Barbero, 2015).…”

“…Studies demonstrated that these waves of asylum-seeking refugees and immigrants looking for better lives have been met with a groundswell of nationalism in many European countries (Barbero, 2015;Gualda and Rebollo, 2016). Wars and political persecution have prompted large waves of migration, via varied pathways, to countries affected by the financial crisis.…”

“…Yet if they avoid diversity, they risk loss of creativity innovation and potential economic competitive edge (Bassett-Jones, 2005;Roberge and van Dick, 2010;Mor Barak, 2017). The downside includes blaming the other for economic hardships, which leads to increased racism, prejudice, and xenophobia, resulting in intergroup animosity and strife (Bone, 2012;Lesińska, 2014;Barbero, 2015). The downside includes blaming the other for economic hardships, which leads to increased racism, prejudice, and xenophobia, resulting in intergroup animosity and strife (Bone, 2012;Lesińska, 2014;Barbero, 2015).…”

“…This dilemma is heightened during times of economic upheaval because the downside is more severe and the upside is more essential than in times of relative economic stability. The downside includes blaming the other for economic hardships, which leads to increased racism, prejudice, and xenophobia, resulting in intergroup animosity and strife (Bone, 2012;Lesińska, 2014;Barbero, 2015). The upside of diversity is also heightened during times of economic difficulties because the positive attributes associated with diversity, such as innovation and creativity, can help propel the economy to higher grounds (Richard et al, 2004(Richard et al, , 2013Gonzalez and DeNisi, 2009;Roberge and van Dick, 2010).…”

The (Un)Healthy Migrant Effect. The Role of Legal Status and Naturalization Timing

“…Legal status is for instance a large source of disparities in housing cost burden, with unauthorized immigrants being the most affected by housing affordability problems (McConnell 2013). The economic recession in recent years has also accelerated the restriction of universal rights for immigrants, particularly those who cannot comply with strict work and resident permit requirements, leading to a climate of anxiety among non-citizens and non-natives (Barbero 2015). Immigrants with an uncertain legal status may also be more likely to accept atypical, precarious and demanding jobs with nonstandard work schedules through their life course, more so than natives (Halpin 2015), leading to a higher prevalence of work-related illnesses.…”