Black College Students Navigating Digital Environments: AQualitative Analysis of Peer Racial Socialization
Abstract
This qualitative study examined how Black college students use digital media for peer racial socialization (PRS) within digital environments (e.g., social media, text messaging, and online). Participants were 20 Black undergraduate students between the ages 18 and 25, attending a predominantly White institution. Using the thematic analysis approach, in-depth individual interviews were coded using inductive methods. PRS was revealed to occur in multiple ways, including (a) cultural socialization, (b) cultivating community, (c) processing discrimination, and (d) encouraging resilience. Findings highlight the significance of digital mediain supporting social development among Blackcollege students. These results highlight need forcontinued scholarship examining the processes underlying PRS across multiple domains, and understanding how Black college students are agents supporting their own racial socialization and healthy development with digital media.
Publication Title
Psychology of Popular Media
Recommended Citation
Shedrick, L., Golden, A., Gibson, S., & Gibson, S. (2024). Black College Students Navigating Digital Environments: AQualitative Analysis of Peer Racial Socialization. Psychology of Popular Media, 14 (2), 286-293. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000526
