‘I can only be properly myself when I’m with her’: Early adolescent intra-ethnic immigrant group friendships as a safe space for identity exploration, negotiation and validation

Abstract

Intra-ethnic adolescent friendships can provide a safe space for the development of a sense of identity and belonging and this study explores the intra-ethnic friendship experiences of fifteen 11- to 12-year olds with non-Irish heritage in Ireland. The incorporation of principles and practices from expressive arts psychotherapy into creative focus groups and journaling within the governing framework of Dahlberg et al.’s reflective lifeworld approach provides different sensory pathways designed to optimise participant expression. Findings indicate that these friendships provide an affirming context for identity exploration, negotiation and enactment, with the journaling activity evoking more personal in-depth disclosures.