Building trust in a postconflict society: An integrative model of cross-group friendship and intergroup emotions

Journal article

Across one longitudinal and two cross-sectional surveys in Northern Ireland, we tested a model of intergroup relations in which out-group attitudes and behavioral tendencies are predicted by cross-group friendship and positive intergroup appraisals, mediated by intergroup emotions and out-group trust. In study 1, out-group friendship at time 1 predicted out-group trust at time 2 (one year later), controlling for prior out-group trust. In study 2, positive and negative intergroup emotions mediated the effects of friendship on positive and negative behavioral tendencies and attitudes. In study 3, a confirmatory factor analysis indicated that trust and emotions are distinct constructs with unique predictive contributions. We then tested a model in which cross-group friendship predicted intergroup emotions and trust through intimate self-disclosure in out-group friendships. Our findings support an integration of an intergroup emotions framework with research highlighting the importance of cross-group friendship in fostering positive intergroup outcomes.

Authors: Kenworthy, J; Voci, A; Ramiah, A; Tausch, N; Hughes, J

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Journal: Journal of Conflict Resolution
• Volume: 60
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1041-1070
• Publication date: 2015-01-06
• DOI: 10.1177/0022002714564427
• EISSN: 1552-8766
• ISSN: 0022-0027
• Keywords: intergroup emotions; SBTMR; contact; friendship; Northern Ireland; trust; intergroup conflict