Belonging Amidst Bias: The Impact of Perceived Discrimination on Muslim Youth in New Zealand

Abstract As Aotearoa’s Muslim immigrant population grows, this study investigates how perceived discrimination affects sense of belonging among Muslim youth. Using the Rejection-Identification Model (RIM), we surveyed 258 Muslim immigrants between the ages of 16 and 29 in urban settings. Hierarchical linear regression and mediation analyses revealed that perceived discrimination negatively affects sense of belonging with the larger society of Aotearoa, aligning with RIM predictions. However, contrary to RIM expectations, experiencing discrimination did not enhance belonging to the Muslim community but rather diminished it. These findings challenge RIM’s universal applicability by suggesting the relationship between discrimination and belonging is more context-dependent than previously theorised. Such understanding underscores the importance of targeted interventions to reduce discrimination and promote inclusivity among Muslim youth in Aotearoa.