A Study of the Situation and Contexts of Cultural Immunity among Mashhad's Youth

This study has been conducted with the aim of undertaking theoretical research and carrying out a survey about the cultural immunity of youth in the city of Mashhad. The general index of immunity was made from four sub-indexes of psychological, social, communicative and mental immunity. The sample size was 512 young people between the ages 18-29 in which the ratio of men and women is approximately equal, and the average age of the respondents is 21 years old. The average cultural immunity of the sample is above the general average and totals 3.39. The people comprising the sample possessed the highest rate of immunity with regards to thoughts, which shows their high optimism and expressive approach. On the other hand, the lowest rate of immunity in the sample is with regards to social immunity. This means that they are exposed to the harm that they may be objectified in their interactions with others. The regression results showed that 26.4% of the current changes in cultural immunity is due to variables outside the area of the study. Lack of motivation for development, violence and conflict in family, weak religious instruction and education have the most effect on cultural immunity. Therefore, lack of motivation for development, violence and conflict in the family, and weak religious instruction have negative effects on cultural immunity, and expose the individuals to harm in this regard. However, education has a positive effect on the individuals’ cultural immunity