NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: Psychometric Development of Three Racial Socialization Scales: Construct and Discriminant Validity Approaches

Martin, Pamela P, Columbia SC

Investigators

Abstract

This postdoctoral research project will further refine and examine the construction and validation of three scales: 1) the African American Church Scale (ARCH); 2) Parental Version of the Racial Socialization Scale (PVRS); and 3) Adolescent Version of the Racial Socialization Scale (AVRS). Each scale is a theory-based self-report measure. Separate focus groups consisting of parents and their adolescents from three predominantly African American churches will be conducted to assess the multidimensionality and generate items for each scale. A CFA will be used to investigate and refine the scale underlying dimensions of the ARCS, PVRS, and AVRS. Factor scales will be produced using data from 225 African American parent and adolescent dyads. Lastly, construct and discriminant validity approaches will investigate the relationship of these scales to existing instruments.