Psychology Research and Behavior Management (Feb 2021)
Effects of Bicultural Identity Integration and National Identity on COVID-19-Related Anxiety Among Ethnic Minority College Students: The Mediation Role of Power Values
Abstract
Yan Long,1,2 Fangying Quan,3 Yong Zheng4 1Center for Studies of Education and Psychology of Ethnic Minorities in Southwest China, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Student Affairs, Guilin Tourism University, Guilin, People’s Republic of China; 3Faculty of Education, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, People’s Republic of China; 4Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yong ZhengFaculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 136 6763 6167Email [email protected]: The current study investigated the association between bicultural identity integration (BII, incorporating BII-harmony and BII-blendedness), national identity, and anxiety related to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among ethnic minority college students. In addition, this research examined the mediation role of power values in the relationship between BII, national identity, and COVID-19-related anxiety.Methods: This cross-sectional research design made use of online surveys. Using convenience sampling, participants comprised 235 Chinese ethnic minority college students drawn from four colleges in the ethnic minority autonomous regions of China. Data were collected during June 2020. Participants mainly lived in ethnic minority communities or villages in southwest China before receiving higher education at urban campuses.Results: Correlation analysis revealed that BII-harmony, BII-blendedness, and national identity were significantly negatively correlated with COVID-19-related anxiety. Mediation model analysis showed that power values were significantly positively correlated with COVID-19-related anxiety. Power values play a mediating role in the relationship between BII-harmony, national identity, and COVID-19-related anxiety, and have an inhibitory effect on this relationship.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that BII-harmony and national identity could have the function of protecting ethnic minority college students from COVID-19-related anxiety. Emphasizing individualistic personal power values could increase COVID-19-related anxiety, whereas a collectivist identity reduces anxiety. These findings could provide another perspective on psychological interventions to reduce anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.Keywords: bicultural identity integration, national identity, power values, COVID-19-related anxiety, ethnic minority college students
