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

Publication ,  Journal Article
Bentley-Edwards, KL; Stevenson, HC
Published in: Journal of Child and Family Studies
January 1, 2016

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.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Child and Family Studies

DOI

ISSN

1062-1024

Publication Date

January 1, 2016

Volume

25

Issue

1

Start / End Page

96 / 108

Related Subject Headings

  • Family Studies
  • 52 Psychology
  • 2004 Linguistics
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Bentley-Edwards, K. L., & Stevenson, H. C. (2016). The Multidimensionality of Racial/Ethnic Socialization: Scale Construction for the Cultural and Racial Experiences of Socialization (CARES). Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(1), 96–108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0214-7
Bentley-Edwards, K. L., and H. C. Stevenson. “The Multidimensionality of Racial/Ethnic Socialization: Scale Construction for the Cultural and Racial Experiences of Socialization (CARES).” Journal of Child and Family Studies 25, no. 1 (January 1, 2016): 96–108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0214-7.
Bentley-Edwards KL, Stevenson HC. The Multidimensionality of Racial/Ethnic Socialization: Scale Construction for the Cultural and Racial Experiences of Socialization (CARES). Journal of Child and Family Studies. 2016 Jan 1;25(1):96–108.
Bentley-Edwards, K. L., and H. C. Stevenson. “The Multidimensionality of Racial/Ethnic Socialization: Scale Construction for the Cultural and Racial Experiences of Socialization (CARES).” Journal of Child and Family Studies, vol. 25, no. 1, Jan. 2016, pp. 96–108. Scopus, doi:10.1007/s10826-015-0214-7.
Bentley-Edwards KL, Stevenson HC. The Multidimensionality of Racial/Ethnic Socialization: Scale Construction for the Cultural and Racial Experiences of Socialization (CARES). Journal of Child and Family Studies. 2016 Jan 1;25(1):96–108.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Child and Family Studies

DOI

ISSN

1062-1024

Publication Date

January 1, 2016

Volume

25

Issue

1

Start / End Page

96 / 108

Related Subject Headings

  • Family Studies
  • 52 Psychology
  • 2004 Linguistics
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services