Do Adolescent Trajectories of Ethnic Identity and Same-Race Friendships Predict Later Outgroup Orientation?

• In Event: Poster Session 01
  In Poster Session: PS 01 Topic - Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Context

Abstract

[Words: 500] Friendships during adolescence tend to be segregated by race (Moody, 2001). Researchers have raised concerns that preferring same-race friendships can undermine the benefits of school diversity by reducing cross-race contact and increasing prejudice. Yet, same-race friendships for youth of color are normative and beneficial for ethnic identity development (Graham et al., 2014; Tatum, 2003). Some evidence suggests that a secure ethnic identity can actually lead to more interest and openness to outgroups (e.g., Phinney et al., 2007; Rivas-Drake et al., 2017). Evidence, however, remains limited. Using parallel process modeling, the current study examined the dynamic associations between trajectories of same-race friendship preference and ethnic identity across middle school, and how these processes predict outgroup orientation in high school.

The sample included 3,401 students (52% girls) from 26 urban middle schools (55% Latino, 23% Asian, and 21% Black). Schools systematically varied in ethnic diversity. Same-race friendship preference was assessed using an invariant log-odds measure, accounting for network size and opportunities for same- and cross-race ties. Sense of membership in one’s ethnic group assessed private regard (mean = .86), and interest in other groups assessed outgroup orientation (= .76) (MEIM; Phinney, 1992). All models controlled for gender, parent education, generational status, race/ethnicity, GPA, ingroup size, school ethnic diversity, % free/reduced meals, and previous levels of outgroup orientation.

Table 1 presents intercorrelations and descriptive statistics for main study variables. Unconditional models revealed that on average, adolescents tend to prefer same-race friends at the start of middle school (b = 1.02) and preference increases over time (b = .10, p < .01). Ethnic identity was positive (b = 3.20), but showed a decline (b = -.15, p < .05). The final conditional parallel process model revealed that preferring same-race friends predicted less steep decreases in ethnic identity (b = .11, p < .001) (Figure 1). Controlling for middle school outgroup orientation, stronger ethnic identity at 6th grade (b = .19, p < .001) and less steep declines in trajectories (b = .32, p < .05), predicted greater outgroup orientation in 9th grade (Figure 2). Direct effects of friendships (intercept: b = -.01, p = .35; slope: b = -.02, p = .33) on outgroup orientation were not significant (Table 1). All models fit the data well.

Results revealed that for youth of color, ethnic identity development and same-race friendship preference are closely linked throughout middle school. Greater preference for same-race friends at the start of middle school predicted a stronger and more secure ethnic identity. Most novel, higher initial levels and stable/increasing trajectories of ethnic identity predicted greater outgroup orientation in 9th grade. Thus, developmental processes of preferring same-race friends are not necessarily related to greater prejudice. Rather, same-race friendships promoted a strong and secure ethnic identity at a time when youth showed ambivalence about their identities. This in turn predicted greater outgroup orientation. Future analyses using growth mixture modeling will examine how different trajectories relate to high school outgroup orientation, attitudes, and friendships, and how associations vary by ethnicity and school ethnic context.

Authors

• Kara Kogachi, California State University, Dominguez Hills
  Presenting Author

• Amirah Lindsey Saafir, UCLA
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sandra Graham, University of California, Los Angeles
  Non-Presenting Author