The interpersonal implications of discrimination : how discrimination in adolescence influences intergroup contact in young adulthood
Authors:   , Smith Joelle Grace 
Published: October 2023

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 8/1/2024] Relationships do not occur in a vacuum, but within an environment of historical, cultural, social, and political contexts, which have important implications for relationship formation and decisions (Landor & Barr, 2018). Failure to consider the systematic implications of race and racism within the romantic and peer group literature impedes the understanding of intimate connections, particularly as it relates to interracial contact. Utilizing a sample of African Americans, the current study aims to address gaps in the literature regarding the lasting impact of racial discrimination on intergroup contact, the interaction between skin tone and racial discrimination on intergroup contact, and the mitigating or exacerbating effects of racial socialization. This study conceptualizes intergroup contact as interracial romantic relationships and close friendships. It is hypothesized that (1) higher levels of racial discrimination in adolescence will be associated with higher odds of being in an intraracial romantic relationship in young adulthood, (2) individuals reporting higher levels of racial discrimination in adolescence and having a darker skin tone will have higher odds of being in an intraracial romantic relationship in young adulthood, (3) racial socialization in adolescence will moderate the effects of racial discrimination in adolescence on romantic relationship type (interracial/intraracial) in young adulthood, (4) higher levels of racial discrimination in adolescence will be associated with higher composition of African American friends in young adulthood, (5) individuals reporting higher levels of racial discrimination in adolescence and having a darker skin tone, will have a higher composition of African American friends in young adulthood, and (6) individuals with higher levels of racial discrimination and higher levels of racial socialization in adolescence will have higher composition of African American friends in young adulthood. Based on the results, the hypotheses were partially supported. There were significant associations between racial discrimination in adolescence and romantic relationship type (interracial/intraracial), where an increase in discrimination increased the odds of being in an intraracial relationship in young adulthood. There were no significant associations between racial discrimination in adolescence and friend group composition in young adulthood. Furthermore, the hypotheses that skin tone and racial socialization would moderate the effects of racial discrimination in adolescence on friend group composition and relationship type (interracial/intraracial) in young adulthood were not supported. These findings illustrate the interpersonal implications of racial discrimination, an area that has been largely understudied. Additionally, the study added to the literature by examining the predictors of intergroup contact in a longitudinal sample, allowing for the examination of casual effects. Moreover, the current study recognized the potential for skin tone and racial socialization to exacerbate the effects of racial discrimination and the likely importance of these variables in the intergroup contact literature. These additions to the literature allow for continued expansion of the understanding of intergroup contact and racial boundaries between groups.