Effects of Intergroup Communication on Intergroup Anxiety and Prejudice Through Single Sessions of Peer Counseling in Online Settings

Authors

  • Romy RW Loyola Marymount University
  • Nick Joyce University of Maryland, College Park

Keywords:

intergroup communication, prejudice, intergroup anxiety, counseling

Abstract

Counseling represents a form of intergroup communication that could theoretically lead to less intergroup anxiety and prejudice but represents a form of intergroup contact that has not previously been studied. Two hundred and ninety-two undergraduate college students were recruited to participate in a single 30-minute peer counseling session with either a White, an Asian, or an African American counselor. Participants were randomly assigned to either in-group or out-group counselors. Results indicated that intergroup communication in counseling significantly reduced participants’ racial intergroup anxiety although the findings for prejudice were less uniform. This study not only extends research on intergroup contact theory but also provides a practical tool to improve intergroup outcomes by developing a peer counseling mental health intervention.

Author Biographies

Romy RW, Loyola Marymount University

Dr. Romy RW's research focuses on using communicative and psychological strategies to promote health equity for underserved populations. She is interested in understanding the interrelationships among health communication, cultural identity, and mediated technologies, especially looking at the roles and effects of racial identity and health communication on marginalized patients' physical and psychological health outcomes.

Nick Joyce, University of Maryland, College Park

Dr. Joyce is interested in the communicative and psychological processes underlying intercultural relationships. One major area of his research examines how and why intercultural narratives and other forms of intergroup communication can be used to foster empathy, change perceptions, and improve attitudes toward other cultures and groups. A second major area of his research focuses on understanding how specific communication skills and psychological traits/states predict an individual’s willingness to engage in positive intercultural communication and narratives. He approaches these topics using social scientific methodologies.

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Published

2023-12-26

Issue

Vol. 18 (2024)

Section

Articles

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