Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of contact between Italian employers and Peruvian women which work in families as maids, baby-sitters or carers for the elderly. 137 Italian employers took part in the study. Results show that the effect of contact on prejudice is mediated by the development of a close relation between the employer and the Peruvian woman trough self-disclosure. Self-disclosure leads to an improvement of intergroup trust and intergroup empathy, and this leads in turn to a reduction of prejudice. The effect of selfdisclosure on intergroup empathy is moderated by category salience. These results state the importance of interpersonal relations in the field of intergroup relations.