Parental Racial Socialization and Emotion Dysregulation: Associations to Internalizing Symptoms & Sleep Difficulties Among Black Youth

Introduction: The current study examined (Aim 1) parental racial socialization as a protective factor in the relation between racism-related stress and emotion dysregulation and (Aim 2) emotion dysregulation as an underlying mechanism in the relation between parental racial socialization and Black youth’s internalizing symptoms and sleep difficulties. Method: 100 Black youth ages 7-16 years (N = 100; Mage = 11.77 years; SDage = 2.64; 73% male) and their primary caregivers (Mage = 43.57 years; range = 28-73 years; SDage = 7.75; 91% female; 82% biological mothers) were recruited nationwide to complete a battery of self- and caregiver-report measures assessing constructs of interest. Youth and caregivers attended a single remote study session via Zoom.® Results: Regarding Aim 1, greater parental racial socialization did not moderate the association between racism-related stress and emotion dysregulation. However, the main effect of racism-related stress on emotion dysregulation was significant. Regarding Aim 2, emotion dysregulation did not mediate the relation between parental racial socialization and Black youth’s internalizing or sleep difficulties. Parental racial socialization was not associated with emotion dysregulation, internalizing symptoms, or youth- or caregiver-reported sleep difficulties. However, more severe emotion dysregulation was significantly related to more severe internalizing symptoms and youth-reported (but not caregiver-reported) sleep difficulties. Discussion: Findings corroborate the negative effects of racism-related stress on Black youth’s emotion regulation and the latter’s impact on internalizing symptoms and sleep difficulties. Results also underscore the need for more research to fully understand the nuances and contexts in which parental racial socialization can have positive effects.