Poster #49 - Assessing the Relationship Between Racial Identity on Racial Socialization Behaviors Among Black Parents

• In Event: Poster Session 11

Abstract

Introduction
Racial socialization (RS) is the transmission of verbal and nonverbal messages, attitudes, and behaviors related to race from adults to youth (Hughes et al., 2006). RS conversations often emphasize racial pride, preparation for bias, promotion of mistrust, and egalitarianism (Smith et al., 2003) and have been found to buffer the effects of racial discrimination among Black children (Jones et al., 2016). Racial identity contributes largely to an individual’s sense of who they are in the world with respect to race. Research indicates that parents’ racial identity and negative views about the climate of racism impacts the RS messages (e.g., preparation for bias) they provide to their children (Kurtz-Costes et al., 2019). Sellers et al. (1997) have identified three central constructs of Black identity including centrality, ideology, and regard.

Hypothesis
In this proposal, we aim to uncover how Black parents’ public and private regard to their race relates to their RS behaviors. We hypothesize that 1) higher levels of public and private regard is related to higher RS messaging, 2) higher or lower levels of public regard is related to higher egalitarian messaging, 3) higher private regard is related to higher racial pride and self-worth messaging.

Method
The current study examines a sample of 305 self-identified Black primary caregivers raising children under 18 years old. In addition to covariates (e.g., age, gender, household income, education level), parents were assessed with the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity Short Version (MIBI-S; Sellers et al., 1997) and Racial Socialization Questionnaire-Parent Version (RSQ-P; Lesane-Brown et al., 2009) scales. MIBI-S measures the three subscales of racial identity and the current study focuses on the subscale regard (public and private). The RSQ-P assesses the frequency of RS messages among six subscales. Data were analyzed using R. Sample data and correlations between regard and RS subscales were analyzed, followed by regressions to assess the relationship between regard and RS messaging, controlling for covariates.

Results
Correlations among the sample indicated a moderate, positive correlation between racial identity and RS constructs. In particular, between public regard and both egalitarian and negative messages and private regard and racial pride, behavioral, and self-worth messages (rs > 0.30; ps < 0.05). Additionally, there was a moderate, negative correlation between private regard and negative messages (r = -0.31; p < .001). Regression modeling further indicated positive relationships between racial identity and RS constructs, including positive relationships between public regard and both egalitarian and negative messages and between private regard and both racial pride messages and socialization behaviors (p’s < 0.05). There was also a negative relationship between private regard and negative messages (p < 0.05).

Discussion
Overall, our findings support our initial hypotheses. Our study indicates a relationship between parents’ racial identity and the frequency along with the types of RS messages they provide to their children. These findings are critical to the field of youth development as it indicates how parents’ racial identity impacts the frequency of important RS messages that can impact the development of their children in today’s society.

Authors

• Akilah Patterson, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
  Presenting Author

• Carinna S Solano-Vargas, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor