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The development and initial validation of the White Fragility Scale
Kimberly J Langrehr1, Laurel B Watson1, Alexa Keramidas1
1The Division of Counseling and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Journal of Counseling Psychology
|May 10, 2021
Summary
The White Fragility Scale (WFS) was developed to measure White fragility, a state where racial stress causes discomfort. The WFS demonstrates good psychometric properties and validity in assessing these reactions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Racial Studies
Background:
- White fragility is a recently recognized phenomenon where White individuals exhibit distress when confronted with racial issues.
- Existing literature highlights the need for empirical measures to understand and address White fragility.
- The concept, as defined by DiAngelo (2018), describes emotional and behavioral responses to racial stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a new scale measuring White fragility.
- To establish the validity and reliability of the White Fragility Scale (WFS).
- To provide a tool for researchers and professionals to assess racial stamina.
Main Methods:
- Development and validation of the 21-item White Fragility Scale (WFS).
- Data collection from two independent samples (M-Turk and Midwest University Psychpool).
- Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, concurrent and divergent validity assessments.
Main Results:
- The WFS demonstrated a bifactor model with a general White fragility factor and specific factors (Emotional Defensiveness, Accommodation of Safety, Exceptionism).
- The scale functions as a unidimensional measure of White fragility, with the Accommodation of Safety subscale showing particular utility.
- Concurrent validity was supported by associations with modern racism and colorblind racial attitudes; divergent validity was supported by low correlations with social desirability.
Conclusions:
- The White Fragility Scale (WFS) is a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring White fragility.
- The WFS can be used as a unidimensional scale or with its subscales for nuanced analysis.
- Findings have implications for research on racial attitudes and for professionals working to enhance racial stamina.
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