Resumo

Since 2013, Venezuela has been facing a serious political and economic crisis, which has forced its population to migrate to other countries (Vaz, 2017). Among the places that shelter such migrants, Brazil has been standing out. In this sense, the hospitality of individuals from local communities is a fundamental pillar for understanding this process (Valtonen, 2001). Another important variable to be considered is the context in which these communities are inserted, given the different social, political and cultural aspects of each location (Castle, 2003).

What aspects impact the receptivity of Venezuelan migrants in the Brazilian host community? The general objective of the research was to describe the elements that impact the receptivity of local communities towards Venezuelan refugees arriving in Brazil in different communities, Roraima and São Paulo.

Community Commitment: psychological bond with something for which the individual makes a voluntary choice of dedication (Klein et. al, 2014); Xenophobia: Prejudiced behaviors and attitudes that demonstrate aversion to and towards foreigners (Reynolds & Vine, 1987); Sense of Threat: tension towards foreigners, divided into realistic threats, symbolic threats, intergroup anxiety and negative stereotypes (Stephan & Stephan, 1996); Responsiveness: set of behaviors and attitudes of members of a group that aims to integrate and include members external to it (Kim, 2001).

The study consisted of quantitative and explanatory research. The research sample is composed of 359 university students from the cities of Boa Vista (RR) and São Paulo (SP). Physical and digital questionnaires (via SurveyMonkey platform) were used as a collection instrument. Data analysis was performed through exploratory analysis and the S.E.M (Structural Equation Modeling) technique or structural equation modeling.

Accepted Hypotheses: H1: Community Identification generates Community Commitment. H2: Community Identification positively affects Xenophobia. H3: Sense of Threat positively affects Xenophobia. H4: Xenophobia, as prejudice, negatively affects Receptivity. H5: The Sense of Threat, as an emotion, negatively affects Receptivity. H6: Receptivity, as an attitude, positively affects the Contact Intention.

The receptivity of local communities in Boa Vista and São Paulo is affected by the level of sense of threat and xenophobia felt by their members. It was identified that the relationship of individuals with their communities also affects receptivity towards refugees: evidence points to the possibility that people more identified with their communities develop feelings of protection that end up increasing the degree of xenophobia. There was also a strong correlation between community identification and community commitment.

Ajzen, I. (1985). From intentions to actions: A theory of planned behavior. Em J. Kuhl & J. Beckmann (Orgs.), Action Control: From Cognition to Behavior (pp. 11-39). Springer Verlag: Berlim. Klein, H. J.,Cooper, J. T., Molloy, J. C., & Swanson, J. A. (2014). The assessment of commitment: advantages of a unidimensional, target-free approach. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 99(2), 222–38. Stephan, W. G., & Stephan, C. (1996). Predicting prejudice. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 20, 1 – 12.