Unanticipated Contexts for Vulnerability: An Exploration of How Black College Men Made Meaning of a Research Interview Process Involving Sensitive Topics

There is an emerging call for empirical studies that examine the development of masculine identity among Black college men. However, the varied ways Black college men made meaning of participating in these research processes are virtually absent. The purpose of this particular inquiry is to offer insights into how 17 Black college men described their participation in a research study that explored sensitive topics involving their identity and interpersonal relationships with other men. Building rapport with Black college men through the research interview process was critical. Data analysis yielded five themes that illustrated how Black college men made meaning of their participation in a research process that employed both semi-structured and photo-elicitation interviews