Intergroup trust among Tibetan adolescents in China: The role of intergroup contact and Chinese national identity

This study aimed to explore the relationship between intergroup contact quantity and intergroup trust and test the mediating role of intergroup contact quality and the moderating role of Chinese national identity among Tibetan adolescents in China. The study surveyed 705 Tibetan adolescents in Southwest China (57% females; Mage = 15.80 ± 1.63 years) employing cluster sampling using the Intergroup Trust Scale, Intergroup Contact Experience Scale, Chinese National Identity Scale, and a self-made demographic questionnaire. The results showed that after controlling for demographic variables such as gender, academic stage, and school type, the intergroup contact quantity of Tibetan adolescents positively predicted intergroup trust through the mediating effect of intergroup contact quality. In addition, the degree of affiliation with Chinese national identity positively predicted intergroup trust. Furthermore, after controlling for the indirect effect of intergroup contact quality, Chinese national identity was found to moderate the direct effect of intergroup contact quantity on intergroup trust. This study highlights the importance of integrating the theoretical frameworks of intergroup contact and social identity in research on intergroup relationships in China's diverse and integrated contexts.