Instrumental or Meaningful Friendships: Black Alumnae Perspectives on Peer Relationships During College

Abstract

This critical qualitative study explores how Black women experienced friendships throughout college. Findings revealed that long-term friendships, primarily with other Students of Color, were both created and maintained, were meaningful in nature, and often spanned several contexts. Women also described short-term instrumental friendships, often with diverse others. Instrumental relationships were designed to meet a particular need and were often context-bound. The analysis ends with implications for students’ relationships in and outside of their racial/ethnic group and with practical implications for administrators on college campuses.

Notes

¹ We use the terms “Black” and “African American” synonymously here based on the terms either used in prior literature, or on the self-identified terms that our participants used.