ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Psychol.
Sec. Cultural Psychology
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1588684
This article is part of the Research TopicThe Intersection of Psychology, Healthy Behaviors, and its OutcomesView all 116 articles
Ethnic identity and folk-cultural adaptation: the roles of social distance and social support
Provisionally accepted
- 1Minzu University of China, Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
- 2Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- 3Kunming Frontier Information Research Center, Kunming, China
- 4Honghe University, Mengzi, Yunnan, China
- 5Inner Mongolia Academy of Social Sciences, Inner Mongolia, China
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Multinational states typically face dual challenges arising from ethnic identity and folk-cultural adaptation. Balancing these elements is crucial in social science research. While previous studies have highlighted the significant impact of ethnic identity on cultural adaptation, the underlying mechanisms remain underexplored. To address this gap, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 372 residents in the multi-ethnic border regions of Yunnan, China, during July and August 2024.Using the Ethnic Identity Scale, Social Distance Questionnaire, Social Support Scale, and Revised Sociocultural Adaptation Scale, we measured ethnic identity, social distance, social support, and folk-cultural adaptation, respectively. Our results revealed a positive association between ethnic identity and folk-cultural adaptation, partially mediated by social distance. Additionally, social support moderated both the direct relationship between social distance and folk-cultural adaptation and the indirect effect of ethnic identity on folk-cultural adaptation (via social distance). These findings deepen our understanding of how ethnic identity influences folk-cultural adaptation in multiethnic regions, underscoring its role in strengthening ethnic solidarity, promoting cultural diversity, and fostering social cohesion.
Keywords: ethnic identity, cultural adaptation, Folk culture, Social Distance, social support
Received: 06 Mar 2025; Accepted: 10 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Hai, Zong, Luo, Yang, Bai and Suo. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Wei Zong, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
Fang Luo, Kunming Frontier Information Research Center, Kunming, China
Linlin Yang, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
Xiaoming Bai, Honghe University, Mengzi, 121013, Yunnan, China
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