Youth in Divided Societies: Understanding and Promoting Positive Intergroup Relations and Constructive Societal Engagement

Youth can play a central role in promoting positive intergroup relations and advancing constructive engagement in conflict and divided societies. Their potential as agents of change, however, remains relatively under-explored in the research literature on prejudice reduction and collective action within social psychology. Drawing on theoretical models, including the empathy-attitudes-action model, social identity theory and intergroup contact theory, I present an ongoing programme of research that examines the factors that influence youth intergroup relations in divided societies and explores how, when, and why youth engage in or demonstrate positive intentions towards constructive action- at the interpersonal, collective, and structural levels. In doing so, I consider the interplay of individual and contextual influences in promoting positive intergroup attitudes and societal engagement among youth, and reflect on the implications of this research for current scientific understanding and practice.