Table 2.

Items Used for Measuring Realistic, Symbolic, and Ownership Threats

Realistic threats

Because of the arrival of immigrants, Dutch natives less quickly find a job

Due to the immigration it is more difficult for the Dutch to get a house

I am afraid that because of the immigration, unemployment will increase in the Netherlands

Immigrants cost too much and therefore are a threat to the welfare state

Symbolic threats

Immigrants are a threat to the Dutch culture

Dutch values and norms are undermined by the presence of immigrants

The Dutch identity is threatened by the great number of immigrants

I am afraid that because of all these foreign culture, the Dutch culture will get lost

Ownership threat

Because many immigrants live here, Dutch natives have less and less influence in their own country

The Dutch natives are slowly losing their say about the Netherlands to newcomers

Sometimes it feels like this country is owned more by immigrants than by the native Dutch

Sometimes it seems like natives have to adjust to newcomers, instead of the other way around

Note: Listed items refer to the Dutch context, and in the French study, they referred to France.