Cultural Socialization and Civic Engagement Among Racially Diverse Students of Color: Examining Ethnic-Racial Identity Components as Mediators and Neighborhood Racial Composition as a Moderator
Authors: Santana Arlenis , Williams Chelsea Derlan , Ahmed Mehak , Romero Mariela , Elias Maria J. , Walker Chloe J. , Moreno Oswaldo , Lozada Fantasy ,   The Spit for Science Working Group, Chartier Karen , Amstadter Ananda , Dick Danielle M. , Lilley Emily , Gelzinis Renolda , Morris Anne , Bountress Katie , Adkins Amy E. , Thomas Nathaniel , Neale Zoe , Pedersen Kimberly , Bannard Thomas , Cho Seung B. , Pedersen Kimberly , Adkins Amy E. , Barr Peter , Byers Holly , Berenz Erin C. , Caraway Erin , Cho Seung B. , Clifford James S. , Cooke Megan , Do Elizabeth , Edwards Alexis C. , Goyal Neeru , Hack Laura M. , Halberstadt Lisa J. , Hawn Sage , Kuo Sally , Lasko Emily , Lend Jennifer , Lind Mackenzie , Long Elizabeth , Martelli Alexandra , Meyers Jacquelyn L. , Mitchell Kerry , Moore Ashlee , Moscati Arden , Nasim Aashir , Neale Zoe , Opalesky Jill , Overstreet Cassie , Pais A. Christian , Raldiris Tarah , Salvatore Jessica , Savage Jeanne , Smith Rebecca , Sosnowski David , Su Jinni , Thomas Nathaniel , Walker Chloe , Walsh Marcie , Willoughby Teresa , Woodroof Madison , Yan Jia , Sun Cuie , Wormley Brandon , Riley Brien , Aliev Fazil , Peterson Roseann E. , Webb Bradley T. , Moreno Oswaldo , Williams Chelsea D. , Bravo Diamond Y. , Chartier Karen G. , Dockery Natese , Elias Maria J. , Fuentes Lisa , Garcia-Rodriguez Isis , Hernandez Cindy , Hicks Terrell A. , Hood Kristina B. , Johnson Kaprea F. , Lewis Jasmine , Middleton Tanya , Montemayor Benjamin , Muñoz Geovani , Mushunje Rumbidzai , Peterson Roseann E. , Santana Arlenis , Bell Ashlynn , DeLaney Eryn N. , Gade Sneha , Goodman Chaz , Gordon William , Judge Sydney , Reese Diamond , Rodriguez Jennifer , Walker Chloe J. , Dick Danielle M. , Bravo Diamond Y. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractUnderstanding the factors that promote civic engagement among emerging adult college students is crucial, especially considering its association with positive youth development. The current study examined ethnic-racial identity (ERI) exploration, resolution, and affirmation as mediators of the relation between cultural socialization and civic engagement. Additionally, the extent to which students were raised in predominantly minoritized neighborhoods (i.e., predominantly minoritized neighborhood racial composition; PMNRC) was included as a moderator of the associations between cultural socialization and ERI components. Last, we tested whether findings varied based on students’ ethnic-racial backgrounds (i.e., differences in the model for Asian, African American, Latinx, and Multiracial students of color; N = 1036). Results indicated that there was a significant mediation path, such that cultural socialization predicted greater ERI exploration and, in turn, greater civic engagement. Cultural socialization was also positively associated with greater ERI resolution and affirmation. The racial composition of the neighborhoods that individuals were raised in was not significantly associated with any ERI component; however, PMNRC moderated the relation between cultural socialization and ERI affirmation. Specifically, cultural socialization predicted more ERI affirmation at higher levels of PMNRC, but this relation was not significant at low levels of PMNRC. There were no significant ethnic-racial differences in relations we tested in the model. These findings highlight the importance of cultural processes in civic engagement among diverse emerging adults.