Dynamic Ethnosizing and Revisable Identity

Nicodemo de Vito, Fausto Galli, Giuseppe Russo (), Ružica Savcic and Paolo Solimene
Additional contact information
Nicodemo de Vito: University of Salerno and Bocconi University
Fausto Galli: University of Salerno
Giuseppe Russo: University of Salerno, CSEF and GLO, https://csef.it/people/giuseppe-russo/
Ružica Savcic: University of Cyprus
Paolo Solimene: University of Rotterdam and Tinbergen Institute

CSEF Working Papers from Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy

Abstract: Using panel data from the German SOEP (2008–2019), we transform the Ethnosizer (Constant et al., 2009) from a cross-sectional measure of immigrant identity into a dynamic tool that tracks identity shifts over time. Methodologically, we estimate a simultaneous two-equation dynamic binary-response model with correlated random effects, which allows us to recover state dependence and transition probabilities between the identity states defined by Berry (1980). Our results show that commitments to destination and origin cultures are highly persistent once formed—yet they are not irreversible. Transitions do occur and, among them, we observe a phenomenon of "integration reversal", whereby identity moves from previously integrated positions to more separated ones. This reversibility of the integration process demonstrates that integration is not a final destination, but a path-dependent process shaped by persistence, contextual shocks, and individual experiences. We complement the empirical analysis with a theoretical model that provides a foundation for the mechanisms underlying identity revision and integration reversal.

Keywords: Identity formation; immigration; acculturation; cultural transmission. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D91 F22 J15 K37 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-10-17
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mig
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.csef.it/WP/wp799.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sef:csefwp:799

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in CSEF Working Papers from Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Dr. Maria Carannante ().