Xenophobia has been referred to as a global phenomenon, linked to the globalization process and noted in countries undergoing transition. It comes from the perceived threat of foreigners’ impact on the citizens’ identity or individual rights. Although the Gulf countries host a large number of migrants from several different cultures and ethnicity, so far no study has examined the conceptualization and pervasiveness of Xenophobia and counter strategies to such phenomenon.

Exploring Xenophobia in the Gulf context. Exploring socio-demographic and cognitive factors affecting xenophobia.

Validating a measure of Xenophobia in the Gulf cultural context. Examining the gender differences in Xenophobia among the GCC individuals. Studying socio-demographic and cognitive predictors of Xenophobia.

A sample of 513 individuals from the GCC countries completed several measures of socio-demographic and cognitive variables. Likert-type scale of xenophobia was developed and validated on a large sample of Qatari citizens that showed trustworthy indications of validity and reliability and delivered via internet survey.

The findings showed that Xenophobia negatively correlated with age, parents’ level of education, and varied subject to the type of father's job. The females showed Xenophobia more indications than males. Participants from the six GCC countries showed different levels of Xenophobia indicators. Bad experience with expatriates fully mediated the relationship between the socio-demographic of subjects and the number of Xenophobia indicators. Cognitive factors were also good predictors of Xenophobia across all cultures and gender.

Xenophobia in the Gulf region is influenced by several cognitive and socio-demographic factors that is mediated by, but not limited to, negative personal experiences and their cultural backgrounds.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.