Experiences of Discrimination Among the Irish Traveller Community

Aims: This study investigated whether there were differences in experiences of discrimination between the settled community (control group) and the Irish Traveller community. This study also investigated whether there were differences in experiences of discrimination between Traveller males and females, across age groups, and between type of accommodation. While also investigating whether there was a relationship between levels of discrimination and levels of stress. Method: An online based survey was hosted on Google Forms through various social media platforms and completed by participants (n = 62), which included a control group of non-Traveller participants (n = 35) and an experimental group which included Traveller participants (n = 27). The survey included a demographics questionnaire, the Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire-community version, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Results: Results showed that the Traveller group scored significantly higher in levels of perceived discrimination than the control group, there was no significant differences in levels of perceived discrimination within the Traveller group between gender, age, and type of accommodation. However, higher levels of discrimination were associated with high levels of stress among the Traveller group. Conclusion: This study found that Travellers experience higher levels of discrimination than individuals who are not Travellers, this study also found that higher levels of discrimination were associated with higher levels of stress among the Traveller group. These findings have expanded on previous research and addressed the gap in literature regarding the Irish Traveller community. Practical implications to reduce conflict and discrimination between groups and suggestions for future research are discussed