The Mediating Role of Religion Based Beliefs in the Relationship Between Microaggressions and Ethnocultural Empathy

Abstract

This study examines the mediating role of individuals' religious worldview in the relationship between microaggressions toward mental illness and ethnocultural empathy. Microaggression is generally associated with low empathy and unconscious biased attitudes, referring to individuals making discriminatory or demeaning statements without being aware of it. The study explores how individuals' religious worldviews shape the impact of microaggressions and their relationship with ethnocultural empathy levels. The research was conducted with 312 participants aged 18 and older, and data were collected using the Religious Worldview Scale, the Ethnocultural Empathy Scale, and the Microaggressions Toward Mental Illness Scale. The analyses revealed that microaggressions do not have a direct significant effect on ethnocultural empathy; however, religious worldview plays a mediating role, indirectly influencing this relationship. The study's main hypothesis suggests that religious worldview mediates the relationship between microaggressions toward mental illness and ethnocultural empathy, significantly shaping the effect of microaggressions on empathy. In this context, the findings are expected to provide valuable contributions to promoting social cohesion, fostering acceptance of cultural differences, and developing strategies to reduce the impact of microaggressions.