Discrimination and Racial Socialization Profiles: Associations With Asian American Adolescent Attachment, Activism, and Self-Esteem

Theory and research suggest that racial discrimination is associated with attachment insecurity (Stern et al., 2022), whereas racial socialization is an integral aspect to fostering secure attachment with parents (Coard, 2022; Dunbar, Lozada, et al., 2022). In addition, with greater attachment security, people of color are more likely to deal with threats more effectively (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2022). The present study tested these theories by examining (a) latent profiles of racial discrimination experiences and racial socialization messages and (b) whether the latent profiles were related to secure attachment with parents and in turn, activism and self-esteem among Asian American adolescents. The sample included 301 Asian American adolescents who completed an online survey. There were three profiles: (a) high discrimination, high interpersonal racial socialization, moderate systemic racial socialization; (b) moderate discrimination, moderate interpersonal, and systemic racial socialization; and (c) low discrimination, low interpersonal, and systemic racial socialization. Adolescents in the high discrimination, high interpersonal racial socialization, moderate systemic racial socialization profile were more likely to engage in activism. Adolescents in the moderate discrimination, moderate interpersonal, and systemic racial socialization profile were also more likely to engage in greater activism through secure attachment to fathers. Although there were no differences among the profiles and self-esteem, secure attachment with both mothers and fathers was related to greater self-esteem. Findings highlight the importance of racial socialization and secure attachment with fathers in bolstering Asian American adolescents’ fight for racial justice.