Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Lucille Esralew

Abstract

AbstractAffectionate communication supports the maintenance and sustenance of long-term relationships for the purposes of survival and procreation. Friendship has been identified as one of the most significant relationships throughout an individual’s lifespan, supporting improved mental and physical health. This qualitative study explored the expressions of affection experienced within Black male friend dyads. Two research questions were posed, what is the experience of Black men receiving and giving affection to other Black men within the context of friendships? Also, are the affectionate needs of Black men being met within their Black male friendships? Affectionate exchange theory and social learning theory were adopted as the theoretical framework for this study, aligned with a phenomenological methodology. Semi-structured interviews were used with all ten participants. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the data and identify themes. The identified themes were loyalty, brother/brotherhood, affectionate development, affectionate communication/expression, and affectionate deprivation. Results indicated that though men experience affection deprivation within their friendships with other Black men they are unlikely to verbalize the experience to their Black male friend. Black men were also noted to express affection via socially supportive gestures more often than verbal or nonverbal behaviors. Future research should explore the resistance Black men have to sharing the experience of affection deprivation with their Black male friends. Optimally, this study has the potential to challenge accepted norms of Black male masculinity and affection, while also informing and enhancing wellness for Black men. This research has the potential to benefit Black men by giving voice to their affectionate experience; it builds upon and extends the literature on male friendships.

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