"I’ve learned so much": befrienders’ experiences of befriending minority ethnic young people

Chris McVittie; Karen Goodall; Yvette Barr

doi:10.36923/jicc.v9i3.488

Open Access Article Intercultural Communication

Chris McVittie ⁽¹⁾ , Karen Goodall ⁽²⁾ , Yvette Barr ⁽³⁾

1. Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, UK

2. Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, UK

3. Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, UK

https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v9i3.488

Issue
Vol. 9 No. 3 (2009)

Submitted
2007 October 24

Published
2009 September 30

Keywords:

befriending, cross-cultural, young people, relationships, friendship

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Abstract

Befriending is commonly regarded as a purposive form of relationship designed to benefit the befriendee. Little research has examined experiences of befrienders. We report findings from a study of the experiences of volunteer befrienders to children and young people from minority ethnic backgrounds. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 volunteers. Participants described benefits of the relationships, acceptance by befriendees’ families, and social links and cultural factors relevant to the relationships. Befriending relationships should be viewed as more reciprocal than is often assumed. The mutual construction of meanings, and reciprocal outcomes, suggests that such relationships can engender positive intergroup relations.

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Authors

Chris McVittie

cmcvittie@qmu.ac.uk (Primary Contact)

Karen Goodall

Yvette Barr

Author Biographies

Chris McVittie

CHRIS McVITTIE is Senior Lecturer in social psychology and qualitative research methods at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK. His main interests include the study of identities, social inclusion and marginalization. He is co-author (with Andy McKinlay) of Social Psychology and Discourse, published (2008) by Wiley-Blackwell.

Karen Goodall

KAREN GOODALL is a Lecturer in　developmental and lifespan psychology　 at　 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK.　 Her　main interests include the construction of belief systems in children and adults,　 the correlates of mental well-being in adults, and qualitative interpretations of healthcare contexts.

Yvette Barr

YVETTE BARR graduated with an honours degree in Psychology from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK. She continues to pursue research interests in education and in communication with children and young people.

McVittie, C., Goodall, K., & Barr, Y. (2009). "I’ve learned so much": befrienders’ experiences of befriending minority ethnic young people. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 9(3), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v9i3.488

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