PARENT SOCIALIZATION TO RACIAL COPING: IMPLICATIONS FOR BLACK EMERGING ADULTS’ GROWTH MINDSET AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

ABSTRACT The purpose of the current study was to examine parent racial-coping socialization as a moderator of the relation between racial-ethnic microaggressions and two key outcomes for emerging adults- growth mind-set and psychological well-being. A sample of Black emerging adults (N = 441, Mean age = 18.7 years, 81% female) attending a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) completed the study. Problem-focused (e.g., parents told me to be aware and double my efforts) and support-focused coping (e.g., parents told me to ask for advice) were independently examined as racial coping socialization. Well-being was a composite score of 6 areas (e.g., personal growth, self-acceptance). Growth mind-set captured the belief that intelligence can be developed with effort. Regression results showed racial-ethnic microaggressions were associated with lower well-being and lower growth mind-set. Problem-focused and support-focused coping independently predicted higher well-being and greater growth mind-set. Racial social support coping buffered the negative association between racial microaggressions and well-being. Implications for the role of parents in the development of emerging adults’ resilience will be discussed.