Religious difference, inter-group trust, attraction, and disclosure amongst young people in Northern Ireland

This study examines the extent and pattern of out-group contact amongst a cohort of Catholic and Protestant first year university students in Northern Ireland (N.I.). Attitudes towards mixing with members of the out-group were also considered, together with a complex of constructs identified in the literature as being central to friendship development. These included group identification, self-disclosure, out-group attraction, and trust. Gender differences were also taken into account. Results revealed significant differences between religious groups and between genders. Catholics displayed a greater inclination to disclose to a friend of the same religion (p