The quality of inter- and intra-ethnic friendships among roma and non-roma students in Hungary

Abstract

In this paper I compare the quality of inter-and intra-ethnic friendships. Previous studies suggest that interethnic friendships are less likely to be characterized by closeness and intimacy than friendships between same-ethnic peers. I analyze data from a Hungarian panel study conducted among Roma and non-Roma Hungarian secondary school students. The analysis of 13 classes shows that interethnic friendship nominations are indeed less often characterized by co-occurring trust, perceptions of helpfulness, or jointly spent spare time than intra-ethnic ones. This association holds true for self-declared ethnicity as well as peer perceptions of ethnicity. Focusing on the self-declared ethnicity of students, interethnic friendship nominations are also found to be less frequently reciprocated than intra-ethnic ones. Concentrating on ethnic peer perceptions, however, the outgoing nominations of non-Roma students are found to be more frequently reciprocated by classmates they perceive as Roma than by classmates they perceive as non-Roma.

‘I can only be properly myself when I’m with her’: Early adolescent intra-ethnic immigrant group friendships as a safe space for identity exploration, negotiation and validation

“…(Lena,12,F,Poland) Layering different aspects of friendship with the fluid medium of salt opened up alternative expressive channels, providing a soothing sensory experience during this activity. A hierarchical pattern of perceived trust levels within friendships emerged in which IEI friendships typically achieved the highest positions, echoing the ranking of Roma friendships in Kisfalusi (2016) Well I tell Assia everything, like everything I know she knows, like even my passwords cos I totally trust her. (Rania,12,F,Algeria) The journaling data provided more detailed evidence of a perceived greater depth of loyalty and trust within IEI friendships, demonstrating the inherent suitability of this medium for more in-depth disclosures and experiential self-validation (Baraitser, 2014).…”

Inter-Ethnic Friendship and Hostility between Roma and non-Roma Students in Hungary: The Role of Exposure and Academic Achievement

“…Our study contributes to the literature in several ways. First, we show important determinants of friendship and hostility relations among Roma and non-Roma students, an understudied topic despite the large size and severe disadvantages of the Roma minority in many Eastern European countries (see Boda and Néray, 2015;Kisfalusi, 2016;Lőrincz, 2016 for exceptions, all from very recent years). Second, we show evidence of the association between networks and academic achievement as well as its interaction with exposure.…”

Ethnic In-and Out-Group Friendships Going Into Early Adolescence: Prevalence, Quality, Stability, and the Role of the Network Structure

“…Studies have identified both similarities as well as differences in friendship quality between ethnic in-and out-group friendships. In-group friendships have been found to be characterized by greater closeness, mutual trust and perceptions of helpfulness (Kisfalusi, 2016) and more shared activities (Kao & Joyner, 2004). Conversely, some studies have found no differences at all (Lessard et al, 2019; Alvarez Valdivia et al, 2016; McDonald et al, 2013; Reinders & Mangold, 2005).…”