The aim of this paper is to assess initial contact, social distance and int
erethnic attitudes between refugee/displaced groups and Croatian host socie
ty in Dalmatia as a predictor of possible integration processes. In spite o
f many similarities between the analyzed groups (Bosnian refugees, displace
d persons from Eastern Slavonia and Dalmatian population), sharing a period
of common history and linguistic features that should facilitate integrati
on, the results reveal complex and ambivalent attitudes of these groups, so
cially differentiated by age, gender and education. The study indicates the
need for major efforts in stimulating integration and enabling the develop
ment of intercultural identities as a prerequisite for social stability.