The Importance of Racial Socialization: School-Based Racial Discrimination and Racial Identity Among African American Adolescent Boys and Girls

Sheretta T Butler-Barnes; Bridget L Richardson; Tabbye M Chavous; Jiaxi Zhu

doi:10.1111/jora.12383

The Importance of Racial Socialization: School-Based Racial Discrimination and Racial Identity Among African American Adolescent Boys and Girls

J Res Adolesc. 2019 Jun;29(2):432-448. doi: 10.1111/jora.12383. Epub 2018 Mar 5.

Authors

Sheretta T Butler-Barnes¹, Bridget L Richardson², Tabbye M Chavous², Jiaxi Zhu¹

Affiliations

¹ Washington University in St. Louis.
² University of Michigan.

PMID: 29504688
DOI: 10.1111/jora.12383

Abstract

This study examined various parental racial socialization messages as mediators between school-based racial discrimination and racial identity formation over 4 years for African American boys (N = 639) and African American girls (N = 711). Findings indicated that school-based racial discrimination was associated with racial identity beliefs. For African American boys, behavioral racial socialization messages mediated the relation between school-based racial discrimination and racial centrality over time. Mediation also resulted for African American girls, but for a different set of race-related messages (negative messages and racial barriers) and racial identity beliefs. The developmental significance of the findings and implications for future research are discussed.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Black or African American / psychology*
Female
Humans
Male
Psychology, Adolescent*
Race Relations*
Racism*
Schools
Social Identification*
Socialization*