Promoting intercultural friendship among college students

This study assessed the efficacy of a semester-long buddy project in facilitating intercultural friendship development. Results of pre-, post-, and follow-up surveys show significant improvements in knowledge and attitude; correlations between post-project knowledge, attitude, and interest in continued contact; and correlations between interest in continued contact and actual contact in the follow up. The majority of the participants evaluated the project as effective for friendship formation. Of the follow-up respondents, 23% developed friendships with their former buddies. The project serves as an example for assignments with the potential for friendship development, which is essential for optimal intergroup contact.     

WeChat use among Chinese college students: Exploring gratifications and political engagement in China

Given the potential of social network sites in democratization, this study explored the relationship between WeChat use, gratification seeking, and political engagement through WeChat in China. A survey of 307, young adult, WeChat users found: (1) WeChat use for entertainment and recognition needs predicted political engagement through WeChat; (2) WeChat use and browsing news and information about a particular political issue on WeChat were positively associated with political engagement through WeChat; and (3) the relationship between WeChat use and political engagement through WeChat was moderated by browsing news and information on WeChat.