Supraordinate identity integration in childhood: Intergroup implications of e thno‐national and supraordinate identification in three divided societies

Isabelle Nic Craith, Bethany Corbett, Jasmina Tomašić Humer, Ana Tomovska Misoska, Edona Maloku, Jocelyn B. Dautel, Laura K. Taylor

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Abstract

An overarching, supraordinate identity (e.g., European identity) can enhance intergroup relations if individuals recategorize ingroup and outgroup members into one, unified group. Yet, in conflict‐affected societies, ethno‐national identities may promote negative intergroup attitudes and behaviours. The effects of European and ethno‐national identities in combination have yet to be explored in childhood. If they can be integrated, the inclusivity of a supraordinate European identity may be felt despite the divisiveness of ethno‐national identities in post‐accord societies. This research assesses supraordinate identity integration in relation to quality intergroup contact and cross‐group friendships among the post‐accord generation in Croatia, Kosovo and Republic of North Macedonia (RNM). These sites have relatively recent conflicts, but varying relationships to the EU. Data were collected from 382 children aged 7–11, split evenly by minority and majority status (Croatia n = 90; Kosovo n = 107; RNM n = 185). Children across all three sites had integrated ethno‐national/European identities. Levels of identity integration varied by site, but not group status. Identity integration was positively and significantly associated with quality of outgroup contact and number of cross‐group friends, and this relationship varied by site. Integrated supraordinate identities have promising implications for intergroup relations and the future of peacebuilding in Europe. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2754
Pages (from-to)1-17
Number of pages17
JournalJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Volume34
Issue number1
Early online date15 Nov 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished online - 15 Nov 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Helping Kids! data collection in Croatia, Kosovo, and the Republic of North Macedonia was supported by the British Tackling the UK's International Challenges Programme to Taylor (IC4/100159) and our excellent project coordinator Risa Rylander. The authors would like to thank the numerous research assistants in each setting for their contributions in data collection. We would also like to thank members of the Group Processes and Social Inclusion stream in UCD School of Psychology for their feedback on this manuscript. While working on this manuscript, Isabelle Nic Craith was supported by funding from Enterprise Ireland (R23442) and UCD Seed Funding (SF2025) to Laura K. Taylor. Open access funding provided by IReL.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Keywords

  • European identity
  • ethno‐national identity
  • intergroup contact
  • peacebuilding
  • conflict
  • children
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Social Psychology
  • ethno-national identity

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