Work

Predicting Cultural Acceptance Among Students in Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces: Key Influencing Factors

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: (1) Background: Thailand’s three southern border provinces face challenges in fostering cultural acceptance due to historical conflicts and religious influences. Promoting understanding through schools and families is crucial for reducing tensions and building harmony. This research aimed to examine the relationships among key factors influencing students’ behavior in accepting cultural differences within the multicultural social context of Thailand’s three southern border provinces. (2) Methods: Data were collected through a survey of 601 student samples and analyzed using computer software to calculate Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression coefficients. (3) Results: The research results found six predictors that significantly predicted students’ behavior in accepting cultural differences in the multicultural social context of Thailand’s three southern border provinces at a 0.001 significance level. These predictors were as follows: religious guidance (X1), attitudes toward cultural differences (X4), student–peer relationships (X6), understanding of cultural differences (X5), student–teacher relationships (X7), and encouragement to perform religious practices (X3). (4) Conclusions: Six predictors, including religious guidance, attitudes, and relationships, explained 45.7% of behavior fostering cultural diversity. The findings highlight the vital roles of religion and interpersonal connections in promoting acceptance.

Source: Societies

DOI: 10.3390/soc15040076

Authors: Punya Tepsing, Kasetchai Laeheem, Buskorn Komontree

Institution: Prince of Songkla University

Language: English

Topic: Multicultural Education and Local Wisdom

Subfield: Cultural Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,689