Conceptions and the experience of friendship in underrepresented groups

Abstract

AbstractThe authors reviewed the literature on the meaning and experience of friendship for members of underrepresented groups (sexual orientation and gender diversity, race and ethnicity). It is argued that many of the variables that contribute to friendship formation among mainstream groups (found in past research) also apply to underrepresented groups (e.g., environments that bring people into contact with one another, homophily). There also are commonalities in the friendship maintenance processes of mainstream and underrepresented groups (e.g., self‐disclosure, provision of support). However, the authors' main point is that there are additional challenges and barriers that are encountered by members of sexual and gender diverse groups and racial and ethnic minorities, and the intersections of those identities, particularly when forming and maintaining friendships with people of majority status. The authors elucidate these challenges and discuss interventions for increasing the diversity of friends in people's networks. In addition, the authors identify significant gaps in the literature on the friendship worlds of diverse groups and offer directions for future research.