Multicultural Psychology Research Lab

The Multicultural Psychology Research Lab is currently involved in a number of research projects.  Below are brief synopses of each of them.

Biracial Identity and Mental Health Outcomes:  Exploring Links to Self Esteem and Depression in Black/White Biracials 
This project examines the process of biracial identity development, specifically, how mixed race individuals come to self-identify and what impact this identity has on mental health.  Of particular interest is the degree to which individual schemas of self are substantiated and validated by others and how this result impacts coping with racism and other psychological constructs (e.g., self-esteem).

If you are interested in participating, click to our survey respondent page for details. 

Racial Socialization & Multiracial Identity: Construction of a Worldview 
Racial socialization is the process though which an individual is led by socializing agents (e.g., caregivers, peers, community) to develop a healthy racial identity, through the deliberate transmission of attitudes, values, and beliefs.  Typically racial socialization involves messages about what “race” means to the family and also within the broader American context.  This project explores this process of racial socialization for individuals of mixed race parentage.  In addition to what messages are offered, we are seeking to understand how these messages influence individual identity and perception of the world.

If you are interested in participating, click to our survey respondent page for details.

Racial Socialization & African American Identity: Pathways to Coping with Racism and Self-Esteem 
This project seeks to add to the literature on African American racial socialization by proposing and testing an inclusive model that explores how racial socialization protects individuals from negative mental outcomes (e.g., negative affect and low self-esteem) resulting from experiences with racism and discrimination.

If you are interested in participating, click to our survey respondent page for details.

Negative Affect, Delinquency, and Alcohol Use Among Rural-Dwelling, African American Youth
This project is seeking to replicate the Swaim et al. (2001) model that links negative affect with alcohol use outcomes using an adolescent African American sample.  Second, delinquency as an additional outcome will be added to the model in an attempt to broaden its scope.  Lastly, there is also an exploration of the role of community of residence (i.e., rural vs. urban) and gender.