@article{ART003258043},
author={Son Myung-ah and 송리라 and Moon Soo-Yeon},
title={Types and Determinants of South Koreans’ Perceptions of Immigrants: A Latent Class Analysis of Multidimensional Attitudes},
journal={The Journal of Multicultural Society},
issn={2005-2553},
year={2025},
volume={18},
number={3},
pages={73-114}
TY - JOUR
AU - Son Myung-ah
AU - 송리라
AU - Moon Soo-Yeon
TI - Types and Determinants of South Koreans’ Perceptions of Immigrants: A Latent Class Analysis of Multidimensional Attitudes
JO - The Journal of Multicultural Society
PY - 2025
VL - 18
IS - 3
PB - Research Institute of Asian Women
SP - 73
EP - 114
SN - 2005-2553
AB - This study investigates South Koreans’ perceptions of immigrants by identifying subgroups of attitudes and examining how political-economic and socio-cultural factors shape them. Using the Korean dataset from the 7th wave of the World Values Survey, Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was conducted on evaluations of immigrants’ social impact, followed by multinomial logistic regression to identify the determinants of subgroup membership. The analysis yielded four subgroups: (1) a Passive Type, characterized by weak overall perceptions and neutrality; (2) a Low-Risk Type, recognizing positive contributions while perceiving few risks; (3) an Economic–Safety Sensitive Type, acknowledging the economic benefits of labor force supplementation while also perceiving risks such as crime and social conflict; and (4) an Extremely Sensitive Type, amplifying both positive and negative impacts across economic, social, and cultural domains. The results indicate that insecurity regarding social status and concerns about safety are central factors reinforcing ambivalent perceptions. Sensitivity to immigrant impacts was also higher among non-metropolitan residents, individuals with higher subjective class status, and those with progressive political orientations. These findings demonstrate that perceptions of immigrants are not structured within a unidimensional framework of acceptance versus rejection, but rather emerge from the intersection of political-economic and socio-cultural evaluations. The study highlights the need for future social integration policies to be designed on a more differentiated foundation that reflects the heterogeneity of public perceptions.
KW - perceptions of immigrants;multidimensionality;ambivalence;Latent Class Analysis (LCA);World Values Survey
DO -
UR -
ER -
Son Myung-ah, 송리라 and Moon Soo-Yeon. (2025). Types and Determinants of South Koreans’ Perceptions of Immigrants: A Latent Class Analysis of Multidimensional Attitudes. The Journal of Multicultural Society, 18(3), 73-114.
Son Myung-ah, 송리라 and Moon Soo-Yeon. 2025, "Types and Determinants of South Koreans’ Perceptions of Immigrants: A Latent Class Analysis of Multidimensional Attitudes", The Journal of Multicultural Society, vol.18, no.3 pp.73-114.
Son Myung-ah, 송리라, Moon Soo-Yeon "Types and Determinants of South Koreans’ Perceptions of Immigrants: A Latent Class Analysis of Multidimensional Attitudes" The Journal of Multicultural Society 18.3 pp.73-114 (2025) : 73.
Son Myung-ah, 송리라, Moon Soo-Yeon. Types and Determinants of South Koreans’ Perceptions of Immigrants: A Latent Class Analysis of Multidimensional Attitudes. 2025; 18(3), 73-114.
Son Myung-ah, 송리라 and Moon Soo-Yeon. "Types and Determinants of South Koreans’ Perceptions of Immigrants: A Latent Class Analysis of Multidimensional Attitudes" The Journal of Multicultural Society 18, no.3 (2025) : 73-114.
Son Myung-ah; 송리라; Moon Soo-Yeon. Types and Determinants of South Koreans’ Perceptions of Immigrants: A Latent Class Analysis of Multidimensional Attitudes. The Journal of Multicultural Society, 18(3), 73-114.
Son Myung-ah; 송리라; Moon Soo-Yeon. Types and Determinants of South Koreans’ Perceptions of Immigrants: A Latent Class Analysis of Multidimensional Attitudes. The Journal of Multicultural Society. 2025; 18(3) 73-114.
Son Myung-ah, 송리라, Moon Soo-Yeon. Types and Determinants of South Koreans’ Perceptions of Immigrants: A Latent Class Analysis of Multidimensional Attitudes. 2025; 18(3), 73-114.
Son Myung-ah, 송리라 and Moon Soo-Yeon. "Types and Determinants of South Koreans’ Perceptions of Immigrants: A Latent Class Analysis of Multidimensional Attitudes" The Journal of Multicultural Society 18, no.3 (2025) : 73-114.
