Family Ties, Friendships, and Subjective Well-Being among Black Americans

Abstract

Using data from the National Survey of Black Americans (NSBA), this study examines the rela- tionships between kinship bonds, friendships, and the subjective well-being of black adults. In analyses controlling for a wide range of demo- graphic covariates, including marital status, num- ber of friends is positively related to happiness among all blacks. The frequency of contact with friends and the availability of close friends are also positively related to happiness, but these rela- tionships become negative with age. Friendship factors are not associated with global life satisfac- tion. Subjective family closeness predicts happi- ness among all blacks and life satisfaction among older blacks only. Net of the effects of other fami- ly and friendship variables, the proximity of ex- tended family members is negatively related to satisfaction. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to interactionist theory and future research on the social relationships of black Americans.