Date of Award:

12-2011

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Renee V. Galliher

Committee

Renee V. Galliher

Committee

Melanie M. Domenech-Rodríguez

Committee

Gretchen Gimpel Peacock

Abstract

Doctoral student in psychology at Utah State University, Merrill Jones, and his major advisor, professor and licensed clinical psychologist, Renee V. Galliher, surveyed a sample of Native American individuals in the 18- to 25-year-old range about their romantic relationship attitudes and experiences with ethnically-different dating partners. The survey measured the participants’ past dating experiences, with an emphasis on which social influences and individual characteristics might impact their current attitudes about choosing dating partners who are not Native American. The responses of the participants will also be analyzed to identify how these factors relate with the other factors, and which factors are the strongest predictors of how or why Native American young adults choose to date non-Native Americans or within their own ethnic group.

It is believed that this information will aid Native American young adults in understanding patterns of dating partner choices among their peers. The results of this study may also assist service providers, educators, administrators, and so forth in how they develop and approach their service delivery with Native American young adults. A substantial amount of existing literature has found that developing positive intimate relationships with members of other ethnicities, cultures, etc. help create a stronger acceptance of differences and more cohesive communities. It also has been found to help individuals interact in multiple environments more successfully and be more connected with members of other communities.

The costs of conducting this research are primarily related to the amount of time it takes each participant to complete the online survey. There are no specific financial costs associated with the development of the study, the administration of the survey, or with the analysis of the data. There is little to no inherent risk for participants in completing the survey because it is optional to enter the survey, each item is optional to answer or not, and the survey does not inquire about any information that could identify any individual. Thus, the survey data is completely anonymous and confidential.

The analysis of the participants’ responses showed that this sample of Native American young adults primarily dated White individuals, with a few dating partners who were members of other ethnicities, and least of all with other Native Americans. This pattern is consistent with research that has found that members of small minority groups typically have little interaction with individuals of their own group, but they frequently interact with members of majority groups, which is usually White. This study also found that the more the participants were active in multicultural events and experiences and who felt more support from their family, the more likely they were to have dated individuals from other ethnic groups. The likelihood of choosing future dating partners who are not Native American was related to past dating and their participation in cross-ethnic activities.

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Comments

Publication made available electronically December 21, 2011.

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