A path analysis for the prediction of afroxenoglossophobia in South Africa

Abstract

The problem of xenophobia or Afroxenoglossophobia is endemic in South Africa. Research efforts in the area are either narrative, descriptive or just usual headlines in the print media. No study have empirically investigated psychological variables and elucidated mediating role of interpersonal violence on selected psychosocial variables. Theoretically guided hypotheses and models were formulated and tested with Pearson correlation and structural equation model using data from a sample of 1100 South Africans in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the North West provinces. Results support the hypothesis that frustration will directly predict xenophobia: DI (β = .24, p<.001); E (β = -.21, p<.001) and EI (β = .23, p<.001). However, SE and age were not supported. IPT did not also mediate the relationships as predicted. The results will be of particular interest to the Government of South Africa, policy makers, Heads of institutions, the media and generally people in authority including royalties to avoid making uninformed public comments that incites violence and by so doing, make South Africa a peaceful and liveable country.

Keywords: Path-analyses, African, Structural Equation Modelling, Afroxenoglossophobia, Xenophobia, South Africa