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.
Checksum
ea2a49f3f75660989b7a34dd1d8e8a56
Recommended Citation
Jones, Merrill L., "Attitudes and Experiences of Close Interethnic Friendships Among Native Emerging Adults: A Mixed-Methods Investigation" (2017). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 5339.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/5339
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