Us and Others: Turkish People's Autochthony Beliefs and Views on Refugees

Abstract

This study aims to examine the autochthony beliefs of local people in Türkiye, which is at the center of migration movements, especially by Syrian refugees. Enrolling participants (N=1820) with different demographic characteristics from seven geographical regions of Türkiye, the study collected data using a survey method. Quantitative statistical methods were used to analyze the collected data. The findings revealed that the Turkish people’s overall scores on the autochthony beliefs survey were not affected by gender or age variables but were affected by geographical region and education level variables. In addition, as a result of the multiple linear regression analysis conducted to reveal how the perception of fear/threat from refugees, the tendency to act together against refugees, and the perception of global and national identity, which are thought to have an impact on autochthonous beliefs, predict the autochthonous beliefs of the Turkish people, it has been concluded that the perception of threat/fear, the tendency to act together and the perception of global and national identity have a significant relationship with autochthonous beliefs. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.