Cultural Socialization and Ethnic-Racial Identity Mediated by Positive and Negative Conversations about Race: Exploring Differences among Students of Color and White Students

Authors

• Maria J. CisnerosFollow
• Eryn Delaney, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Chelsea D. Williams, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Sabrina Hawa, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Chloe Walker, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Fantasy Lozada, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Su Jinni, Arizona State UniversityFollow
• Danielle Dick, Virginia Commonwealth University

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Abstract

Objectives: The current study examined associations between cultural socialization and ethnic-racial identity (ERI) via positive and negative conversations about one’s ethnicity/race. Differences between students of color (SOC) and White students (WS) were explored.

Method: Diverse college students 18-22 (M age = 18.46) participating in a university-wide study provided self-reports of childhood cultural socialization, engagement in conversations about ethnicity/race during college, and ERI.

Results: Cultural socialization was associated with more positive conversations about race, and, in turn, greater ERI exploration, resolution, and affirmation among SOC and WS. Additionally, negative conversations about race were associated with greater ERI exploration and less ERI affirmation among SOC and WS. However, greater cultural socialization was only related to more negative conversations about ethnicity/race among SOC.

Conclusion: The current study highlights the nuanced ways that childhood cultural socialization and conversations about one’s ethnicity/race influence college students’ ERI, both similarly and differently among SOC and WS.

Publication Date

2021

Disciplines

Developmental Psychology | Psychology

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Dr. Chelsea D Williams

Is Part Of

VCU Graduate Research Posters