Sectarian and Nonsectarian Violence: Mothers' Appraisals of Political Conflict in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Past research on peace and conflict in Northern Ireland has focused on politically motivated violence. However, other types of crime (i.e., nonsectarian) also impact community members. To study the changing nature of violence since the signing of the Belfast Agreement in Northern Ireland, we used a qualitative approach and the Constant Comparative Method to analyze focus group discussions with mothers from segregated Belfast neighborhoods. Participants articulated clear differences between sectarian and nonsectarian violence, and further distinguished sectarian violence along 2 dimensions—overt acts and perceived intergroup threat. Although both sectarian and nonsectarian antisocial behavior related to insecurity, participants described pulling together and increased ingroup social cohesion in response to sectarian incidents. The findings have implications for the study of violence and insecurity as experienced in the everyday lives of mothers, youth, and families in settings of protracted conflict.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was support by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Grant R01 HD046933 to E. Mark Cummings. We thank the focus group participants, Andre Mansion, and Stacey Scott for their collaboration. We also express our appreciation for the project staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Ulster.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Laura K. Taylor

Laura K. Taylor is a graduate student in the dual Ph.D. program in Psychology and Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Her research interests include identifying risk and resilience processes for children, families, and communities facing political violence. Taylor has field experience in mental health, transitional justice, and conflict transformation.

Christine E. Merrilees

Christine E. Merrilees, Ph.D., is a Research Specialist at the University of Notre Dame and focuses on socio-emotional processes for youth in contexts of conflict and violence. She has authored papers on child development, parenting, psychopathology, and social identity.

Andrea Campbell

Andrea Campbell, Ph.D., conducts research on intergroup relations and intergroup conflict, social identity theory and prejudice, and cross-community contact and segregation. She is currently a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Ulster, Magee campus.

Peter Shirlow

Peter Shirlow, Ph.D., is the Director of Education at the School of Law, Queen's University, Belfast. His research focus is on analyzing republican and loyalist violence and how the Troubles have affected everyday life in segregated communities throughout Northern Ireland.

Ed Cairns

Ed Cairns, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at the University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland. His research focus is on the psychological aspects of political violence in relation to conflict in Northern Ireland, inter-group contact, and peace psychology.

Marcie C. Goeke-Morey

Marcie C. Goeke-Morey, Ph.D., is Associate Professor at the Catholic University of America. Rooted in a developmental psychopathology framework, her research interests focus on the processes of children's social and emotional development within the context of the family.

Alice C. Schermerhorn

Alice C. Schermerhorn, Ph.D., completed her graduate work at the University of Notre Dame and is a Post-doctoral Fellow at Indiana University. Her research interests are in the areas of socio-emotional development, developmental psychopathology, and family relationships.

E. Mark Cummings

E. Mark Cummings, Ph.D., is Professor and Notre Dame Endowed Chair in Psychology. He is the Director of the Family Studies Center and his research interests focus on family factors and child development, especially socio-emotional processes and developmental psychopathology.