Ethnic Identity Construction Among Young Greek and Turkish Cypriots: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis

While research has examined the psychological impact of ethnic identity on individuals who directly experience conflict, much less is known on how younger generations construct and define their ethnic identity in the context of post-conflict division. The aim of this study is to explore how young Greek and Turkish Cypriots construct and define their ethnic identity in the aftermath of intergroup conflict, considering both their cognitive perceptions and emotional experiences. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we analyzed semi-structured interviews with ten Greek Cypriots and ten Turkish Cypriots (between the ages of 19 and 30). Although participants viewed being Cypriot as a unique identity, they experienced conflicting emotions about it. They also described different challenges associated with navigating their Cypriot identity. These results highlight how intergroup emotions and social categorization shape identity among post-conflict youth. Practically, these findings can inform peacebuilding efforts, education policies, and intergroup dialogue initiatives by addressing the underlying emotional and cognitive dimensions of identity.