The impact of sectarian injustice and the paramilitary ceasefires on adolescent just world beliefs in Northern Ireland

Abstract

This study compares the level of just world beliefs held by Northern Irish Protestant and Catholic 16 to 18 year olds (n=181), before and after the 1994 paramilitary ceasefires. Analysis of the data indicated that the Protestant sample held stronger just world beliefs than the Catholic sample, while the introduction of peace to the streets of Northern Ireland strengthened the level of beliefs in ajust world held by both ethno-political groups. Religious discrimination was suggested as the cause of the weaker just world beliefs among the Catholic sample. while the increase in just world beliefs after the ceasefire was due to an increased hope for peace in Northern Ireland.