Precursors of inter-group reconciliation among the youth in Belfast and Vukovar (Croatia) Ankica Kosic (please pronounce Ankiza or Anna) University of Rome, Italy

despite political solutions (e.g., Belfast Agreement of 1998; Andrew agreement, 2006), communities remained separated.

Culture of violence “There are still many riots at interface areas – in summer 2006 it happened that 300 young people gathered and wanted to attack the other community.” (interview Intercomm)

Transcending the divide and the culture of violence among young people Integrated education Inter-community work

Study in Belfast

Participants 320 students (139 boys and 181 girls) in high schools in Belfast. M age = years. Protestants (N = 128) Catholics (N = 174).

Measures Adolescents’ conflict management styles within family - 8 items (  = 0.80) - adaptation of Kurdek’s CRSi (Kurdek, 1994) Examples: Trying to find solutions that are acceptable for both sides. Throwing insults and digs. - Adolescents’ constructive conflict management styles Parental communication styles with children – 7 items – Parental non constructive communication styles

Impact of the Troubles – 4 items (  = 0.82) whether they had any experience of sectarianism and the Troubles Example: Have you ever been intimidated because of your religion? Have you ever been injured in a sectarian incident? Feeling unsafe (e.g., walking outside the neighbourhood, wearing school uniform…) – 3 items (  = 0.82) Index - Impact of the violence

Cross-community contact: quantity – 5 items (  = 0.80) Integrated school Participation in cross-community projects

Feeling thermometer (1 = extremely unfavourable to 7 (extremely favourable) Inter-group forgiveness – 7 items (  = 0.85) Bogardus social distance scale - 5 items (  = 0.80) – higher scores indicate higher social acceptance Instrumental co-operation propensity towards collaboration and interest in improvement of inter-group relations Example: I am interested in the development of good relations and co- operation with the other community. Index of reconciliation

Results

Table 1. Summary of Moderated Multiple Regression Analyses (R2 =.39; F= 14.50) Reconciliation Betap Adolescents ’ constructive communication styles Parental non-constructive communication styles Impact of violence.05n.s. Cross-community contact.16n.s. Integrated school.07n.s. Participation in Cross-community projects Adolescents ’ constructive communicative styles x Impact of the violence Adolescents constructive communicative styles x Cross-community contact Parental non-constructive communicative styles x Impact of the violence

Figure 1: Reconciliation as a function of adolescents constructive strategies in conflict management within family and impact of violence.

Figure 2: Reconciliation as a function adolescents constructive strategies in conflict management within family and inter-group contact.

Figure 3: Reconciliation as a function of parental non-constructive communicative styles and impact of violence.

Discussion Constructive conflict resolution styles within family more propensity toward reconciliation with the other community, even when the youth do not feel safe in the context.

Croatia In 1991 conflicts escalated in areas of Croatia populated by large numbers of Serbs. Vukovar was almost completely destroyed. about 2000 people were killed or wounded and over 500 ‘disappeared’ (Tanner, 1997).

Vukovar

According to the 2001 census registered population was Croats (57.5%) Serbs (32.9%) other minorities (6.28%).

The process of social ‘polarisation’. separated shops and coffee bars… parallel institutions, such as local radio stations, sports clubs… children in schools and kindergartens have been separated into different buildings or classes.

Problems: people are still trying to find missing members of their families slow progress of justice poor economic situation

Study in Croatia Participants 277 participants, students at the University in Vukovar and in secondary schools. average age = years 132 male and 145 female respondents Croats (N = 154) and Serbs (N = 106).

Measures Adolescents conflict resolution styles within family - constructive Parental communication styles with children – non constructive

Impact of the war Feeling unsafe Index – Impact of the violence Cross-community contact - quantity Participation in cross-community projects

Propensity toward reconciliation Feeling thermometer Inter-group forgiveness Bogardus social distance scale Instrumental co-operation Index of reconciliation

Results

Table 2. Summary of Moderated Multiple Regression Analyses (R2 =.49; F= 18.02) Reconciliation Betap Adolescents constructive communication styles within family Parental non-constructive communication styles -.08n.s. Impact of violence Cross-community contact Cross-community projects.06n.s. Adolescents constructive communication styles x Impact of the violence Adolescents constructive communication styles x Cross-community contact Parental non-constructive communication styles x Impact of the violence

Figure 4: Reconciliation as a function of adolescents constructive strategies in conflict management within family and impact of violence.

Figure 5: Reconciliation as a function adolescents constructive strategies in conflict management within family and inter-group contact.

Figure 5: Reconciliation as a function of parental non-constructive communicative styles and impact of violence.

Conclusions Constructive conflict resolution strategies within family more propensity toward reconciliation with the other community, even when the youth do not feel safe.

Thank you!