Examining the Relationship between Relative Deprivation and Political Ethnocentrism with an Emphasis on the Mediating Role of Perceived Religious Discrimination and Social Media Use (Case Study: The City of Bukan)
1
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Kharazmi University
2
Institute for Humanities and Social Studies, ACECR
3
M.A. Graduate in Political Science, Kharazmi University
10.30465/ismc.2026.53744.3017
Abstract
This study examines the role of group relative deprivation, perceived religious discrimination, and social media use in shaping political ethnocentrism. The research employed a survey method, and the population consisted of citizens over 18 years old in Bukan. A total of 380 participants were selected using a multistage cluster sampling technique. The findings indicate that perceived religious discrimination has the strongest impact on relative deprivation: the political (β = 0.692), the economical (β = 0.441) and socio-cultural dimensions (β = 0.439). Additionally, social media use exacerbates the economic (β = 0.504) and socio-cultural dimensions of relative deprivation. However, none of the dimensions of relative deprivation exhibit a significant direct effect on political ethnocentrism, and the model’s explanatory power is low (R² = 0.098), indicating the limited capacity of direct prediction. The results suggest that political ethnocentrism primarily emerges through indirect and contextual pathways, especially via perceived religious discrimination and the representation of inequalities on social media. Accordingly, social media functions less as a direct driver of political action and more as a platform for amplifying perceptions of injustice and identity threats. These findings underscore the importance of administrative justice, political representation, and the strategic management of media spaces.
Ghasemi Siani,A A , Heidari,H and Farrokhdokht,F . (2026). Examining the Relationship between Relative Deprivation and Political Ethnocentrism with an Emphasis on the Mediating Role of Perceived Religious Discrimination and Social Media Use (Case Study: The City of Bukan). (e14027). Interdisciplinary Studies in Media and Culture, (), e14027 doi: 10.30465/ismc.2026.53744.3017
MLA
Ghasemi Siani,A A , , Heidari,H , and Farrokhdokht,F . "Examining the Relationship between Relative Deprivation and Political Ethnocentrism with an Emphasis on the Mediating Role of Perceived Religious Discrimination and Social Media Use (Case Study: The City of Bukan)" .e14027 , Interdisciplinary Studies in Media and Culture, , , 2026, e14027. doi: 10.30465/ismc.2026.53744.3017
HARVARD
Ghasemi Siani A A, Heidari H, Farrokhdokht F. (2026). 'Examining the Relationship between Relative Deprivation and Political Ethnocentrism with an Emphasis on the Mediating Role of Perceived Religious Discrimination and Social Media Use (Case Study: The City of Bukan)', Interdisciplinary Studies in Media and Culture, (), e14027. doi: 10.30465/ismc.2026.53744.3017
CHICAGO
A A Ghasemi Siani, H Heidari and F Farrokhdokht, "Examining the Relationship between Relative Deprivation and Political Ethnocentrism with an Emphasis on the Mediating Role of Perceived Religious Discrimination and Social Media Use (Case Study: The City of Bukan)," Interdisciplinary Studies in Media and Culture, (2026): e14027, doi: 10.30465/ismc.2026.53744.3017
VANCOUVER
Ghasemi Siani A A, Heidari H, Farrokhdokht F. Examining the Relationship between Relative Deprivation and Political Ethnocentrism with an Emphasis on the Mediating Role of Perceived Religious Discrimination and Social Media Use (Case Study: The City of Bukan). Interdisciplinary Studies in Media and Culture. 2026;():e14027 (In Persian). doi: 10.30465/ismc.2026.53744.3017
