ARCHIVED – Recent Immigrants, Earlier Immigrants and the Canadian–Born: Association with Collective Identities

4. Results and discussion (continued)

4.3 Ordered logistic regression analysis

In order to gain insight into variables associated with an individual’s likelihood of identifying as a citizen of Canada, an ordered logistic regression analysis was completed. Table 4-1 displays the findings of the ordered logistic regression which include coefficients, standard errors, odds ratios (OR) and significance levels.

The pseudo r-squared in the Canadian-born population is 0.310, 0.319 for earlier immigrants, and 0.202 for recent immigrants. This indicates that these selected predictors account for approximately 31%, 32% and 20% of the variance in the outcome variable „identification as a citizen of Canada as a whole‟, respectively. Findings for the ordered logistic regression for the total sample (including the boosted new immigrant sample) can be found in Appendix B. Please see Appendix C for variable definitions for the regression models.

Table 4-1 Predictors of identification as a citizen of Canada – Ordered logistic regression

* Significant at p < .05
** Significant at p < .01
Source: 2006 World Values Survey

According to Hjerm, “national identity could be seen as an awareness of affiliation with the nation that gives people a sense of who they are in relation to others, or infuses them with a sense of purpose that makes them feel at home” (Hjerm 1998, 339). The findings from the ordered logistic regression analyses indicate that income status is not related to an individual’s likelihood of identifying as a citizen of Canada. This finding is consistent with the results of Walters et al. derived from the EDS which concluded that “identification with the host society is important for national unity, which appears to be independent of one’s level of economic integration” (Walters et al. 2007, 60). The authors suggest that there is an important distinction between identity integration and economic integration. Their results, based on cross-sectional data, “provide preliminary evidence that economic integration does not play an integral role in the acculturation of immigrant identities” (Walters et al. 2007, 60).

Our results also indicate that, when looking at Canadian-born, recent immigrant and earlier immigrant respondents separately, the attainment of post-secondary education is not associated with identification as a citizen of Canada. For recent immigrants, older respondents are slightly more likely to positively identify as a citizen of Canada (OR = 1.04, p<.01). Furthermore, the Canadian-born, earlier immigrants and recent immigrants who are ‘very proud’ to be Canadian, are significantly more likely to positively identify as a citizen of Canada (OR = 2.7, p<.01; OR = 5.3, p<.01; and OR = 2.3, p<.05, respectively).

Regression results also indicate that for the Canadian-born population, those individuals who reside in Quebec are less likely to identify as a Canadian citizen (OR = 0.16, p<0.01). This finding is consistent with the results of Soroka et al. based on wave two of the Equality, Security and Community Survey. Soroka et al. found that “Quebec francophones are significantly less attached to Canada (in terms of both the pride and belonging measures) than others” (Soroka et al. 2007, 584). There are no statistically significant results to suggest that this is the case for recent and earlier immigrants residing in Quebec.

The results of the ordered regression analysis also suggest that identification as a world citizen is not related to a decreased tendency to identify as a Canadian citizen, and provides preliminary evidence to dismiss claims that with the rise of globalization comes the deterritorialization of identities. According to Jedwab, “some fear that globalization will continue to blur territorial and national boundaries, further directing identities away from a strict focus on national affiliation” (Jedwab 2007, 67). The findings indicate that the opposite may be in fact the case. It appears that for recent immigrant respondents, the tendency to strongly identify as a world citizen is connected to an increased likelihood of identifying as a citizen of Canada (OR = 3.5, p<0.01). Furthermore, when looking at the total WVS sample, results show a positive and statistically significant relationship (OR = 3.9, p<0.01, see Appendix B).

These findings support the idea that an individual can have multiple identities and belongings without them necessarily conflicting or colliding with each other. They are also consistent with Ehrkamp and Leitner’s argument that although “transnational migrants’ practices and identities are multiple and cross territorial”, communal boundaries “do not imply that identifications with territorially defined national politics and locales are disappearing” (Ehrkamp and Leitner 2006, 1630). Therefore, they explain that ideas of “deterritorialization and denationalization of citizenship are simplistic and premature” (Ehrkamp and Leitner 2006, 1630).

Rusciano conducted an analysis of survey data on 23 nations that examined the construction of national identity. Rusciano found support for the theory that “the construction of national identity derives, in part, from a negotiation between a nation’s Selbstbild (nation’s national consciousness, or the image its citizens have of their country)and a nation’s Fremdbild (or thenation’s perceived or actual international image in world opinion)” (Rusciano 2003, 361). Therefore, one preliminary explanation for our findings is that if identification as a world citizen implies a concern or investment in events that occur on a global scale, it may be the case that individuals who identify as a world citizen, may also display a heightened support for Canada and its role in influencing these events. In other words, individuals who identify as a world citizen may place more emphasis on a nation’s Fremdbild.

Regression results also show that earlier immigrant and recent immigrant respondents who strongly identify as a member of their local community are significantly more likely to identify as a citizen of Canada (OR = 14.4 and 4.9 respectively, both statistically significant at p<0.01). There is also a positive and statistically significant relationship when looking at data from the total WVS population (OR = 9.6, p<0.01, see Appendix B). These findings provide preliminary evidence to suggest that micro-community identification is associated with macro-community identification.

Pearce displays similar results from his analysis of the EDS data which found that there is a positive relationship between community trust and a sense of belonging on a national level. Pearce proposes that “one possible explanation for this may be that immigrants see their neighbours as a sample of the entire Canadian population and link their feelings toward their immediate community to their feelings for the wider society” (Pearce 2008, 26). As the literature review suggests, identification carries with it connotations of belonging and has implications for social cohesion. Therefore, it appears that the degree to which individuals, regardless of whether they are immigrants or not, identify with their local community has significant implications for the cohesiveness of the larger Canadian society. This finding has implications for the importance of investing in programs that foster cohesive and welcoming communities.

Ordered logistic regression results further indicate that a strong identification as a citizen of another country is not associated with the degree to which an individual identifies as a citizen of Canada. This finding provides preliminary evidence to suggest that dual citizenship may not undermine belonging to Canadian society.

Finally, Canadian-born and recent immigrant respondents who strongly agree that they view themselves as autonomous individuals are significantly more likely to identify as Canadian citizens, compared to those who do not (OR = 1.9, p <.01 and OR = 2.1, p<.05, respectively). When looking at data from the total WVS population, a positive and statistically significant relationship is also found (OR = 1.7, p<0.01, see Appendix B). This finding could indicate that values such as self-sufficiency and the freedom to choose and make informed decisions do not contradict the rights and freedoms associated with Canadian citizenship.

• Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8 (current)
• 9
• 10
• 11
• Next