The Multidimensionality of Racial/Ethnic Socialization: Scale Construction for the Cultural and Racial Experiences of Socialization (CARES)

Abstract

Negotiating racial politics in the United States is a rapidly transforming and dynamic matter. As a result, racial/ethnic socialization (R/ES) measurement must match this transformation to reflect the current processes utilized by Black Americans to manage racial conflict. We describe the scale construction of the Cultural and Racial Experiences of Socialization (CARES), a multidimensional assessment of R/ES based on Racial Encounter Coping Appraisal and Socialization theory. Additionally, we tested the CARES for its relation with gender and perceived racism. Utilizing a national sample of 373 Black college students, Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed the CARES to have 35 items and a 5 factor-solution. The CARES demonstrated strong overall internal consistency and its factors had moderate to strong internal consistency coefficients. The CARES factors allude to the complex role of R/ES as a social cognitive strategy for managing racial conflict. New concepts include both racism and bicultural coping strategies. We move beyond traditional concepts of cultural mistrust, which focus on a suspicion of the motives of White people, with the Racial Stereotyping factor that includes messages conveying cynical views of other Black people based on social class, gender and colorism. Gender differences in R/ES indicate that parents may perceive the consequences of racial conflict and miscues to be more dismal for their sons than their daughters. Interaction effects were found between R/ES and perceived racism.Family practitioners can use the findings to guide parents that are vacillating on the importance of discussing racial hierarchies with their children.

Ethnic–Racial Socialization in the Family: A Decade's Advance on Precursors and Outcomes

“…Particularly noteworthy was the attention to construct and context specificity in these new instruments. For instance, Ayón () developed a measure of cultural socialization with attention to the unique needs and experiences of Latino immigrant families, Juang et al () took a similar approach but with a focus on Asian American families, and Bentley‐Edwards and Stevenson () developed a measure to capture the multifaceted nature of ethnic–racial socialization messages (e.g., cultural insights, racial stereotyping, racial protection) for Black youth. In a similar vein, two measures of familial ethnic–racial socialization specific to the context of transracial adoption emerged.…”

Parental Ethnic‐Racial Socialization and Children of Color's Academic Success: A Meta‐Analytic Review

“…Although many ethnic‐racial socialization approaches have been conceptualized across the literature (Bentley‐Edwards & Stevenson, ; Brown & Krishnakumar, ), Hughes et al. () comprehensive review identified four prominent dimensions that are frequently considered across studies: cultural socialization, preparation for bias, promotion of mistrust, and egalitarianism.…”

Exploring Divergent Patterns in Racial Identity Profiles Between Caribbean Black American and African American Adolescents: The Links to Perceived Discrimination and Psychological Concerns

“…In contrast, the long history of legalized racism and discrimination against African Americans in the United States has resulted in many African American parents engaging in racial socialization mechanisms by which they transmit information, values, and perspectives about race and ethnicity to their children (Bentley-Edwards & Stevenson, 2015;Hughes et al, 2006;Rogers, 2001). As a result, African American youth may be more keenly aware of the structural barriers to educational and social mobility based on one's race and racial identity (Sanchez & Awad, 2015) and may be prepared for discriminatory treatment when it occurs (Seaton et al, 2008).…”