Openness to communicating conflict experiences positively impacts social cohesion after genocide

What is it about?

This research demonstrates that being open to communicating one's conflict experiences can have positive impacts on social cohesion after genocide. Our findings also suggest that the positive association between openness to communicating conflict experiences and willingness to socially integrate does not differ for survivors and non-survivors. However, survivors tended to enter the dialogue-based programs significantly less open to communicating conflict experiences and less willing for social integration compared to non-survivors, yet grew significantly more open and willing over the course of engaging in structured dialogue.

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Photo by Ricardo Fontes Mendes on Unsplash

Photo by Ricardo Fontes Mendes on Unsplash

Why is it important?

These findings contribute to a growing body of research investigating the factors that increase willingness to engage in future intergroup contact, extending this work to a post genocide context. Our field study also begin to shed light on processes through which people might become open to communication about conflict experiences in post genocide contexts. When group members are distrustful of outgroup members, they may become less willing to be open, honest, and genuine during cross-interactions to avoid having their trust betrayed. Given that the betrayal of trust that occurred during the genocide was more severe for survivors compared to nonsurvivors, the processes of rebuilding trust and openness to communication about harms experienced may understandably differ for survivors and nonsurvivors.

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