The Role of Religious Socialization in Racial Identity Beliefs: Examining Group Differences

• In Event: 3-216 - The Role of Religious Socialization in Black Youth Adjustment

Integrative Statement

The Black Church provides a wide range of civic, spiritual, and practical services to help congregants and non-attendees alike (King et al., 2010). Involvement for many Black youth has been shown to promote a wide range of positive outcomes (Mattis & Mattis, 2011). Although Black youth rank faith higher than counterparts in other racial groups (Donahue, 1995; Smith et al., 2003), not much is known on the role of religion for Black youth development as a cultural asset, outside of it being a protective factor that mitigates effects of life stressors on outcomes. Even fewer studies address the origins of Black youth’s religious involvement, namely how, where, and from whom they acquire religious values and practices, e.g., service attendance, prayer.

Furthermore, religiosity can influence Black youth’s racial identity processes (Brega & Coleman, 1999). Navigating identity processes is a key developmental task during adolescence (Phinney, 1989). In addition to religious values and practices, youth may be concurrently exposed to a wide range of messages about being Black (Martin & McAdoo, 2007). Given the significant role of the Black Church, religious socialization may influence adolescents’ understandings of being Black in the United States.

Black adolescents’ perspectives and practice of their faith may reflect the diverse range of values, doctrines, and practices espoused in their churches (Martin, 2011; Martin, Bowles, Adkins, & Leach, 2011; Martin & McAdoo, 2007). Because church is a significant developmental context for many Black youth, it is important to examine the impact of religious socialization, especially in its role for supporting diasporic narratives. Black youth are continually exposed to negative messages and attitudes about Blackness via numerous outlets and experiences. This study examines group differences regarding the role of religious socialization in racial identity outcomes for Black youth.

Data came from 187 Black adolescents (63.4% girls) from a larger study examining religious and racial socialization practices of Black families, recruited from 18 predominately African American churches in two midwestern cities. Adolescents completed self-report questionnaires. Adolescent racial/ethnic identity beliefs was measured with the Multi-Construct African American Identity Scale (MCAIQ) (Smith & Brooks, 1997). The African American Protestant Faith Communities Scale (AAPFCS) assessed Black adolescents’ perceived religious socialization messages. Three subscales were utilized: biblical principles, other-worldliness, and social legacy) (Martin, unpublished). The 7-item biblical principle subscale emphasizes humanity as made in God’s image. In contrast, the 9-item other-worldly principle subscale, which emphasizes preparation for heaven (alpha = .78), do not mention race. The social legacy scale emphasizes both implicit and explicit applications of socialization by African Americans for faith to empower, transform, and deliver their communities through adversity (5-items, alpha = .82).

Results highlight the significant role of religious socialization for Black youth’s racial identity (see Table 1 and 2). Youth socialized in Black churches emphasizing biblical principles tended to endorse more positive stereotypes about Black people. Conversely, socialization in Black churches emphasizing other-worldly principles linked to fewer positive stereotypes and appearance about Black people. Additional findings and implications for future research and youth-based programs and community organizations will be discussed.

Authors

• Meredith O. Hope, University of Michigan School of Public Health
  Presenting Author

• Sheretta T. Butler-Barnes, Washington University in St. Louis
  Non-Presenting Author

• Pamela P. Martin, Prairie View A&M University
  Non-Presenting Author