Unveiling the Social Representation of European Identity Among Young Adults in Italy, Portugal, and Spain: An Exploratory Study

Authors

  • Adriano Mauro Ellena 1Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123, Milan, Italy. 2CERISVICO (Research Centre on Community Development and Organisational Quality of Life), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Garzetta 48, 25133, Brescia, Italy.
  • Tatiana Ferreira Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, School of Education, Complexo Andaluz - 131, 2001-902 Santarém, Portugal.
  • Mariano Soler-Porta Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad de Málaga, Plaza Ejido, sn, 29071 Málaga, Spain
  • Francisco Simões Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (Iscte), Cis-Iscte, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Maura Pozzi 1Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123, Milan, Italy. 2CERISVICO (Research Centre on Community Development and Organisational Quality of Life), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Garzetta 48, 25133, Brescia, Italy.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1285/i24212113v10i2-2p124

Keywords:

European identity, young people, Italy, Portugal, Spain

Abstract

This study analyses the social representations of European identity among Southern European youth from Italy, Spain, and Portugal using the Central Nucleus Theory (CNT). Participants, university students from prominent cities, responded to a European identity scale and a semi-structured questionnaire. Analyses reveal common elements like freedom, democracy, and privilege. However, distinct variations tied to contextual factors surfaced among the three countries, highlighting the intricate nature of European identity among these youths. The results highlighted some interesting issues that need to be addressed in order to develop higher levels of identification with the European Union.

 

Author Biographies

Adriano Mauro Ellena, 1Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123, Milan, Italy. 2CERISVICO (Research Centre on Community Development and Organisational Quality of Life), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Garzetta 48, 25133, Brescia, Italy.

He completed his PhD in Psychology at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy. Research fellow in Social and Community Psychology (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore). His research interests concern young people, NEETs, social representations, social identity, and community psychology. He teaches Social Psychology and is member in different international projects.

Tatiana Ferreira, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, School of Education, Complexo Andaluz - 131, 2001-902 Santarém, Portugal.

Sociologist / invited assistant professor at School of Education - Polytechnic Institute of Santarém. Current research interests: youth, youth employability, youth public policies and education. She is advisor of the Permanent Youth Observatory, where she has participated in several projects on public policies in Portugal, at local and national levels, and in Europe. She is vice-chair of WG1-Social networks and social inclusion in the COST Action - Rural NEET Youth Network – Modeling the risks underlying rural NEETs social exclusion.

Mariano Soler-Porta, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad de Málaga, Plaza Ejido, sn, 29071 Málaga, Spain

Since 2008, he has combined teaching and research at the university level, publishing in various journals and presenting at renowned conferences. He's a professor in the Department of Accounting and Management with an MBA. With over 15 years of advising experience, his expertise lies in business innovation, entrepreneurship, and management. He's been part of the COST Action CA18213 since 2018, studying rural NEETs' social exclusion, and, from 2021, engaged in the "TRACK-IN" EEA Grant project. Additionally, he actively contributes to the Accounting Research and Teaching group, emphasizing innovative teaching methodologies.

Francisco Simões, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (Iscte), Cis-Iscte, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026, Lisbon, Portugal

He is an assistant researcher and a full member of the Center for Social Research and Intervention at the University Institute of Lisbon. He is also the Chair of the COST Action Rural NEET Youth Network funded by the European Commission and a member of the Coordination Group of the EU Rural Pact. He has published internationally on issues such as adolescents’ social development and well-being, social support, youth mentoring, youth mobilities, and rural NEETs psychosocial profile.

Maura Pozzi, 1Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123, Milan, Italy. 2CERISVICO (Research Centre on Community Development and Organisational Quality of Life), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Garzetta 48, 25133, Brescia, Italy.

Associate Professor in Social and Community Psychology (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore). Her research interests concern family functioning models and the intergenerational dynamics in families. She teaches Social and Community Psychology and is co-investigator in several research on family business, family dynamics and volunteerism.

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Published

17-09-2024

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Vol. 10 No. 2 (2024): Community Psychology in Global Perspective

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Research Articles

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