The relationship between teachers' perceptions of multiculturalism and their perceptions of social capital

This study aims to examine the relationship between teachers' perceptions of multiculturalism and their perceptions of social capital. For this purpose, predictive correlational model, one of the quantitative research methods, was used as a model in the study. The population of the study consists of 2689 teachers working in kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and high schools in Nizip district of Gaziantep in the 2023-2024 academic year. The sample group of the study consists of 756 teachers selected by simple random sampling method. "Personal Information Form" was used to determine the personal characteristics of the teachers, "Multiculturalism Perception Scale" to determine their perceptions of multiculturalism and "Social Capital in Schools Scale" to determine their perceptions of social capital. Percentage, frequency, arithmetic mean, t test, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. In addition, the predictive role of multiculturalism in the relationship between teachers' perceptions of multiculturalism and social capital perceptions was examined by structural equation modeling. As a result of the research, it was seen that teachers' perceptions of multiculturalism and social capital perceptions were positive. Statistically significant differences were found between some demographic characteristics of teachers and variables. There was a significant and positive relationship between teachers' perceptions of multiculturalism and social capital. As a result of the analyzes conducted to determine the predictive role, multiculturalism was found to be a significant predictor of social capital. As a result, considering that multiculturalism is a factor explaining teachers' perceptions of social capital, the importance of conducting studies to improve teachers' perceptions of multiculturalism emerges.