The Contextualized Impact of Ethnic-Racial Socialization on Black and Latino Youth’s Self-Esteem and Ethnic-Racial Identity

This study examined how ethnic-racial socialization (ERS)—cultural-egalitarianism, preparation for bias, and promotion of mistrust—mediate the influence of neighborhood and parental cultural contexts on youth self-esteem and ethnic-racial identity (ERI). Participants included 184 youth (Mage = 13.38; 57.5% female) and 144 parents (Mage = 40.62) from Black and Latino families living in a new destination context. Data were analyzed using multiple group path analysis. Findings revealed distinct patterns for Black and Latino families. Neighborhood disadvantage was negatively associated with preparation for bias and promotion of mistrust beliefs. Neighborhood diversity was positively related to promotion of mistrust, while neighborhood cohesion positively influenced cultural-egalitarianism and preparation for bias beliefs. Each ERS belief was associated with youth perceptions of the corresponding ERS practice. In Latino families, preparation for bias beliefs also supported cultural-egalitarianism practices. ERS practices were linked to youth outcomes. Cultural-egalitarianism was positively associated with self-esteem and, for Latino youth, with centrality and private regard. In contrast, preparation for bias and promotion of mistrust were negatively associated with self-esteem and public regard. Additionally, neighborhood factors, parental discrimination, parental ERI, and ERS beliefs were directly linked to youth self-esteem and ERI. Findings underscore how broader sociocultural contexts shape ERS and, in turn, adolescent development.