Conflict Transformation: Relinquishing or Maintaining Social Identity among Former Loyalist Combatants in Northern Ireland

Ferguson, Neil and Flack, Patrick (2020) Conflict Transformation: Relinquishing or Maintaining Social Identity among Former Loyalist Combatants in Northern Ireland. Political Psychology. ISSN 0162-895X (Accepted for Publication)

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Abstract

This study explored the accounts of former loyalist combatants now involved in conflict transformation, preventing violent extremism and peacebuilding work. To understand how former loyalist combatants negotiate their dramatic change in context and function, we analysed accounts of peacebuilding through thematic analysis. The themes demonstrated that conducting conflict transformation is expressively linked to former combatant identity. The themes also demonstrate that former combatants construct identity continuity by viewing their current transformative actions as an evolution of their militant activity during the Troubles. The paper concludes on the implications of these identity maintenance strategies for former combatants and, more widely, what implications this has for other militants transitioning from conflict or extremism towards peace.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Human and Digital Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User:	Neil Ferguson
Date Deposited:	14 Sep 2020 10:27
Last Modified:	14 Sep 2020 10:27
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/3143

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