The interrelation between national and ethnic identity among Russian citizens: sociocultural factors as moderators

Abstract

This study aims are to identify and test sociocultural factors that moderate the link between national and ethnic identity among Russians. We suggest that interrelation between national and ethnic identity is a representation of intergroup relations, which, in turn, allow us to regard J.Berry’s cultural, historical, political and economic components of sociocultural context as moderators of this interrelation. The empirical test of this assumption shows that economic optimism (economic component) and perceived national discrimination (historical component) moderate the link between the two identities by making it stronger. Other elements of sociocultural context, described by Berry, show less clear patterns.