Intergroup social support after a natural disaster: A study from the perspective of social identity

This study examines the factors influencing the social support provided by Turkish individuals to Syrian individuals affected by the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023. The study investigates the effects of shared social identity, the level of identification with ethnic and religious identity, intergroup contact, and the level of earthquake experience on social support. This research, structured within the theoretical frameworks of Social Identity Theory (Tajfel and Turner, 1979) and Intergroup Contact Theory (Allport, 1954; Pettigrew, 1998), included 150 Turkish individuals affected. The findings indicate that the level of identification with a shared identity (earthquake victim identity) positively correlates with social support. Additionally, both the quantity and quality of intergroup contact showed strong positive relationships with social support. However, identification with Muslim identity and Turkish identity did not have significant relationships with social support. The level of earthquake experience also did not show a significant relationship with social support. The analyses indicate that the level of identification with a shared identity and intergroup contact play significant roles as determinants of the level of social support provided, and are related to the extent to which groups offer social support to out-groups. Furthermore, the level of identification with a shared identity (earthquake victim identity) predicts higher levels of social support. Similarly, both the quantity and quality of intergroup contact are strong predictors of social support. However, identification with religious (Muslim) identity and ethnic (Turkish) identity did not significantly predict social support. The level of earthquake experience also does not predict social support. These results suggest that shared identities and contact are more critical predictors of social support than individuals' personal disaster experiences. The findings of this research provide a crucial foundation for understanding and enhancing the factors of social support extended to out-groups following an earthquake. In Turkey, where natural disasters are frequent, understanding the social support dynamics between Syrian individuals who have experienced forced migration and Turkish individuals can significantly contribute to the literature in this field and offer valuable insights into the recovery processes of communities post-disaster. Future studies should focus on conducting similar research across different demographic groups to examine the generalizability of the findings and to explore the determinants of social support extended to out-groups in various cultural contexts in greater detail. Furthermore, with larger sample sizes and longitudinal studies, the relationship between shared identity and the level of social support provided through intergroup contact can be investigated more comprehensively.