Ethnic‐racial socialization and sociopolitical development among emerging adult college students of color

This study used multilevel growth modeling to examine associations between ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) and sociopolitical development among undergraduates of color (N = 125) attending predominantly White institutions during the 2016 United States presidential election. Across the election cycle, awareness of inequality increased, whereas civic action declined. Preparation for bias was associated with higher initial awareness of inequality at the onset of the election, whereas cultural socialization and egalitarianism messages were linked to greater civic efficacy. Although ERS did not predict longitudinal changes in sociopolitical development, the findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive socialization processes in families of color, particularly in sociopolitical contexts where issues of race and politics intersect.