UCLA

This cross-sectional study examined the influence of cross-ethnic friendships on students’ sense of school belonging and safety, as well as whether this relationship differed by ethnicity and students’ ethnic representation in their school. It further explored whether friendships with numerical majority peers in particular were related to these outcomes. The sample was comprised of 2,227 sixth grade students (40.2% Latino, 20.8% Asian, 21.6% African American, 17.4% White) from 26 urban middle schools in California. Findings revealed that a higher proportion of cross-ethnic friendships was associated with greater school belonging for numerical minority White students, and lower school belonging for numerical majority White and African American students. Friendships with numerical majority peers were positively associated with school belonging and safety for White students. Finally, having a higher proportion of cross-ethnic friendships was associated with greater perceived safety for numerical minority students. Implications for promoting cross-ethnic peer interactions are discussed.