Examination of the relationship between fear of crime victimization, intergroup contact, and intergroup anxiety levels among migrants who have experienced forced migration

This study aims to examine the relationship between fear of crime victimization, intergroup contact, and intergroup anxiety levels among migrants who have experienced forced migration in the Turkish context. The phenomenon of forced migration, affecting over 120 million people globally, has positioned Turkey at the center of this mobility, hosting more than 3.6 million Syrian asylum seekers alongside various other migrant groups. The research addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by migrants in a new society—such as perceptions of security, social integration, and psychological well-being—through the lens of fear of crime. The sample consists of 962 forcibly displaced migrants from 15 different countries, including Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Iran, residing in provinces with high migrant concentrations, namely Istanbul, Adana, Gaziantep, Osmaniye, Van, and Antalya. Employing a quantitative research method and a relational survey design, data were collected using the Demographic Information Form, Fear of Crime Scale, Intergroup Contact Scale, and Intergroup Anxiety Scale. The gathered data were analyzed via SPSS software, utilizing descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses. The findings reveal that fear of crime victimization is a complex phenomenon shaped by individual, social, and environmental factors. From a gender perspective, female migrants reported significantly higher levels of fear of crime and perceived victimization risk compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, individuals with direct or indirect prior experiences of crime victimization exhibited substantially elevated security concerns. Demographic analyses indicated an influence of marital status, with widowed or divorced individuals experiencing heightened fear due to insecurities associated with living alone. In terms of employment status, housewives demonstrated the highest fear levels, attributable to their more insular social environments and restricted mobility in public spaces. In contrast, education level and duration of residence in Turkey did not yield significant differences in fear of crime. Within the context of intergroup relations, the finding that increased quantity (frequency) of contact was associated with heightened intergroup anxiety diverges from prevailing trends in the literature, presenting a noteworthy result. This suggests that contact does not invariably produce positive outcomes; particularly forced or conflictual interactions may reinforce fear. In light of these findings, the study underscores the need for gender-sensitive and egalitarian policies to support migrants' societal integration. The results elucidate the interplay between fear of crime and social-cultural dynamics, offering an original contribution to both academic literature and policy-making processes. Future studies in this domain will further enrich the literature.