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The measurement of mistrust among religious group members in N orthern I reland
Author(s) -
McAloney Kareena,
Stringer Maurice,
Mallett John
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/jasp.12029
Subject(s) - psychology , social psychology , context (archaeology) , northern ireland , distress , clinical psychology , sociology , ethnology , paleontology , biology
Cultural mistrust is a protective mechanism employed by minority group members when risk of victimization from majority group members is high. In N orthern I reland, depending on the context, both C atholics and P rotestants may perceive themselves at risk of discrimination, and use similar protective strategies. This study examined the appropriateness of the C ultural M istrust I nventory in assessing mistrust among members of different religious groups within N orthern I reland. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses resulted in an 11‐item, 3‐factor measure of religious mistrust. Mistrust appears to be experienced by both C atholics and P rotestants, regardless of group status; with males reporting significantly higher levels of mistrust of the “other” group. Higher levels of mistrust were associated with higher psychological distress.