A Three-Generation Study of Acculturation and Identity of the Russian Minority in the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania

Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology. 2018. Vol. 49. No. 6. P. 976–992.

Galyapina V. N., Lebedeva N., van de Vijver F.

This article examines relationships between social identities and acculturation strategies of
Russians (the ethnic minority) in the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania (RNO-A). The sample
included 109 grandparent–parent–adolescent triads from ethnically Russian families (N =
327). We assessed acculturation strategies, ethnic and national identities (identification with
the Russian Federation), republican identity (with the RNO-A), regional identity (with North
Caucasus), and religious identity. EFA combined five identities in two factors, labeled Russian
ethnocultural identity (comprising ethnic, national, and religious identities) and North-Caucasian
regional identity (comprising identities involving the republic and region). The means of the
identity factors remained remarkably stable across generations, with a somewhat stronger
Russian ethnocultural identity. A structural equation model revealed that Russian ethnocultural
identity was a negative predictor of assimilation (the least preferred acculturation strategy),
whereas North-Caucasian regional identity was a positive predictor of integration (the most
preferred strategy) in all generations. We concluded that Russian ethnocultural identity is
important for maintaining the heritage culture whereas North-Caucasian regional identity
promotes participation of ethnic Russians in the multicultural North-Ossetian society.

Keywords: ассимиляция, интеграция, социальная идентичность, integration, assimilation, Северный Кавказ, social identity, North Caucasus, generations, ethnic Russian minority, русское этническое меньшинство

Publication based on the results of: Socio-psychological consequences of changes on the post-Soviet space: values, identity, intercultural relations (2018)