Race & Ethnicity in Networks

Much of my research touches on race and ethnicity, given that friendship networks tend to be strongly segregated on these dimensions. Two papers in particular investigate factors that may help to weaken such patterns: extracurricular activities and intergroup attitudes. Both offer promising insights, though much more research is needed to understand how to apply these insights. I am also enthusiastic about a new NSF-funded project with Adriana Umaña-Taylor and Deborah Rivas-Drake that examines ethnic-racial identity (ERI). The Teen Identity Development and Education Study (TIDES) is gathering longitudinal data in two diverse high schools in order to test questions related to the role of peers in ERI development and how aspects of ERI may shape adolescent friendship structure and subsequent education outcomes.

• Schaefer, David R., Sandra D. Simpkins, and Andrea Vest Ettekal. 2018. “Adolescent Extracurricular Activities and Race/Ethnic Friendship Segregation.” Chapter in Social Networks and the Life Course: Integrating the Development of Human Lives and Social Relational Networks. Edited by Duane F. Alwin, Diane H. Felmlee, and Derek A. Kreager. Springer.

• Schaefer, David R., Martin Bouchard, Jacob T. N. Young and Derek A. Kreager. 2017. “Friends in Locked Places: An Investigation of Prison Inmate Network Structure.” Social Networks, 51:88-103.

• Delgado, Melissa Y., Andrea Vest Ettekal, Sandra D. Simpkins, and David R. Schaefer. 2016. “How Do My Friends Matter? Examining Latino Adolescents’ Friendships, School Belonging, and Academic Achievement.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45: 1110-1125.

• Perez-Brena, Norma J., Lorey A. Wheeler, Kimberly A. Updegraff and David R. Schaefer. 2015. “Mexican-American Adolescents’ Gender-Typed Characteristics: The Role of Sibling and Friend Characteristics.” Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44:1255-1268.

Ethnic-Racial Identity

• Rivas-Drake, Deborah, Adriana Umaña-Taylor, David R. Schaefer, and Michael Medina. 2017. “Ethnic-Racial Identity and Friendships in Early Adolescence.” Child Development. 88: 710-724.

• Rivas-Drake, Deborah, Muniba Saleem, David R. Schaefer, Michael Medina and Robert Jagers. 2018. “Adolescent Intergroup Contact Attitudes across Peer Networks in School: Selection, Influence, and Implications for Cross-Group Friendships.” Child Development.