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Predictors of Racial Socialization among Black Families: Neighborhood Factors, Racial Discrimination, and Depressive
Latisha M Swygert1, Justin A Lavner2, Steven R H Beach2
1Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA USA.
Journal of Child and Family Studies
|May 11, 2026
Summary
Black caregivers use racial socialization to teach children about heritage and prepare for discrimination. Contextual stressors and parental mental health influence these important parenting strategies.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Racial socialization is a parenting strategy used by Black American caregivers.
- It involves transmitting messages about heritage, discrimination, self-esteem, and intergroup connectedness.
- Racial socialization is linked to positive outcomes in Black youth, such as higher self-esteem and better mental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors predicting racial socialization strategies among Black caregivers.
- To understand variability in racial socialization messages within Black families.
- To examine neighborhood factors, discrimination experiences, and parental depression as predictors.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from Black families in the rural Southern U.S.
- Examined neighborhood disorder and social cohesion.
- Assessed parental and child experiences of racial discrimination and parental depressive symptoms.
Main Results:
- Identified direct and indirect effects of predictors on racial socialization.
- Neighborhood factors, discrimination, and parental depression were linked to specific socialization messages.
- Results highlight the interplay between contextual stressors, parental mental health, and parenting practices.
Conclusions:
- Parental experiences of contextual stressors and mental health are crucial.
- These factors influence the racial socialization messages caregivers transmit.
- Further research should explore these linkages to support Black families.
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