Date of Award:

5-2017

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Renee V. Galliher

Committee

Renee V. Galliher

Committee

Melanie M. Domenech Rodríguez

Committee

Donna Gilbertson

Committee

Gretchen Peacock

Committee

Linda Skogrand

Abstract

Members of small minority groups like Natives, along with other minority groups that are rapidly growing in population are increasingly receiving research focus. With 1 in 3 U.S. residents identifying with racial or ethnic minority groups, close interethnic relationships are likely to increase as well. It will be important to understand processes of close friendship development between racially-different friends, along with the factors that help establish and maintain these close interethnic friendships. This information will be especially important for members of small minority groups, such as Natives.

We investigated Native friendship development and factors of close friendship with non-Native emerging adults. Results for the participants in this sample found that past experiences and relationships seem to be the primary predictors of engagement in interethnic friendships, in addition to diversity climates in high school and racial composition in college student bodies. Additionally, increased opportunities for interethnic contact and interaction tended to be important factors of friendship development between Natives and non-Natives. Aspects of these close friendships that were reported by friendship pairs included: authenticity/acceptance, communication, similarity, and trust. It is important to understand that frequent exposure to racial/cultural diversity before individuals reach adulthood has been found to be much more effective than trying to change attitudes and experiences in adulthood.

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