Race and Gender: Perception and Reception of Support From Family and Friends

• Published in: Translational issues in psychological science 2021-12, Vol.7 (4), p.435-450
• Main Authors: Szkody, Erica, Steele, Ellen H., McKinney, Cliff
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Emerging Adulthood; Family; Female; Friendship; Human; Human Sex Differences; Male; Parent Child Relations; Racial and Ethnic Differences; Social Support
• ISSN: 2332-2136; 2332-2179
• DOI: 10.1037/tps0000251

The current study examined the interaction between race (i.e., Black and White) and gender and the perception and reception of social support from mother figures, father figures, and friends during emerging adulthood. Social support from family and friends has been associated with positive physical and psychological health outcomes. Recent studies have shown that during emerging adulthood, individuals turn to their parents for continued support as they transition to college. However, very little research has examined the influence of gender, race, and the interaction on the reports of perceived and received support from mother figures, father figures, and friends during emerging adulthood. Emerging adults were surveyed at a large university in the Southern United States about their perceived and received social support from friends and parental figures. Results indicated significant differences across three types of support (i.e., instrumental, informational, and emotional support) by race, gender, the intersection of race and gender, and the source of the support. Results demonstrate the importance of perceptions of received and potential perceived support during emerging adulthood and the role of intersectionality, which contributes to individual perception/reception of support based on type and source of support. What is the significance of this article for the general public?The current study lends support to the concept that perceived social support and received social support are two separate constructs and are reflected differently across race and gender. White women reported more perceived support from father figures than all others, and Black men reported more perceived support from their father figures than Black women. Black men reported more received informational and instrumental support than Black women and White men from mother and father figures. Additionally, Black men reported less received emotional support than Black women from mother figures and received less informational support from friends. It is clear that Black male and female students would benefit from increased institutional support, particularly at predominately White universities, to ensure that all students attending thrive and are successful. Black women may particularly benefit from targeted support as they typically perceive less available support than their male and White counterparts.