Interracial Friendships and DEI Support: The Role of Parental Racial Attitudes

Interracial Friendships may play an important role in shaping college students' attitudes toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Previous research has shown that having friendships with people from different racial backgrounds is connected to more positive attitudes toward other racial groups. However, the attitudes people grow up around, especially their parents, might influence how they view diversity. The purpose of this study is to examine whether college students with more/closer interracial friendships are more supportive of DEI. This study also looks at whether their perceptions of their parents racial attitudes affect this relationship. This study plans to include up to 80 undergraduate students at Murray State University. Participants will complete a 20 minute online survey about their interracial friendships, how they perceive their parents’ racial attitudes, and their support for DEI related policies and scenarios. Correlation and regression analyses will be used to look at the relationships between these variables. It is expected that students who have more/closer interracial friendships will have greater support for DEI. Students who believe their parents have more positive and accepting racial attitudes are also expected to report higher DEI support. Overall, this study aims to prove a better understanding of how friendships and family influences are related to college students' views on DEI.