Same‐Ethnic, Interethnic, and Interracial Friendships Among Asian Early Adolescents

Abstract

This study examined the psychological functions of three friendship types (i.e., same-ethnic, interethnic and interracial) in a sample of 785 sixth grade Asian students (Mage=11.5 years). Participants listed their friends in 6th grade and whether each nominated friend was the same or a different ethnic group. They also reported on their ethnic identity, intergroup relations, and perceived school safety. Results showed that same-ethnic friendships were related to stronger ethnic identity and interracial friendships were uniquely related to school safety. Interethnic friendships (an Asian friend from a different country of origin) when perceived as same ethnic functioned similarly to same-ethnic friendships, whereas interethnic friendships perceived as from a different ethnic group, like interracial friendships, were associated with better intergroup relations. Implications for studying friendships in ethnically diverse samples were discussed.

Differential Influence of Same‐ and Cross‐Ethnic Friends on Ethnic‐Racial Identity Development in Early Adolescence

“…Our most important finding was that peer's ethnicity matters for peer influence effects on ERI content. This finding is not only consistent with the SIT perspective but also supports the notion that same‐ and cross‐ethnic friends serve different functions (Chen & Graham, ; Jugert & Feddes, ). Our findings also support previous research that same‐ethnic friendships are more relevant than cross‐ethnic friendships for ERI development (Kiang & Fuligni, ; Syed & Juan, ).…”

Correlates of Ethnicity‐related Dating Preferences among Asian American Adolescents across the High School Years

“…In our review of existing literature, terminology of race and ethnicity is used in accordance with the original authors' descriptions. Chen and Graham (2017) found that adolescents' same-race friendships (including same-and different-ethnic) were linked to higher ethnic identity, and both different-ethnic and different-race friendships were linked to better intergroup relations.…”

“…However, the vast literature on peer relationships can inform our hypotheses and approach. This peer literature suggests positive correlations between ethnic identity and same-ethnic friendships (Chen & Graham, 2017;Graham et al, 2014;Yip et al, 2013). Among diverse adolescents, Graham and colleagues (2014) demonstrated that adolescents with higher levels of private regard reported greater numbers of same-ethnic friends.…”

“…However, shared racialized experiences as a result of racial labels may be akin to a culture-like experience. As such, there could be individual differences in how adolescents conceptualize "same-ethnic" and "different-ethnic" partners (Chen & Graham, 2017). For example, whether adolescents consider interethnic Asian American partners as "same-ethnic" is unclear.…”

Expectations for cross-ethnic inclusion by Asian American children and adolescents

“…B. Brown, Eicher, & Petrie, 1986), most research on same- and cross-ethnic friendship preferences amongst Asian American youth has been conducted with adolescents (Benner & Wang, 2017; Chen & Graham, 2015, 2017). For example, Chen and Graham (2015) found that cross-ethnic friendships in Asian American early adolescents are more likely to be with European American peers and are associated with greater intent to engage in activities with members of that particular ethnic group (Chen & Graham, 2015).…”