The integration of subgroups at the supranational level: The relation between social identity, national threat, and perceived legitimacy of the EU

Previous research suggests that social identity influences public attitudes about the European Union, but little is known role of for perceived legitimacy EU. This article explores relation between different forms identification (national, EU, dual) and EU perceptions, moderation this relationship by experienced threat to national power sociocultural identity. A survey was conducted in six countries (N = 1136). factor analysis items resulted two subscales (institutional trust duty obey). Separate regression analyses were therefore run on these subscales. All positively related legitimacy, while a strong universal negative predictor. However, results suggest only predicted when participants no their nation dual even threat. Overall, respect identities values may offer opportunities safeguard improve Findings are discussed terms literature ingroup projection model common model.