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Who has to act? A qualitative exploration of emerging adults' critical consciousness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quiles, Taina B; Hoyt, Lindsay T; Dotson, Miranda P; Castro, Elena Maker; May, Madeline; Cohen, Alison K.
  • Quiles TB; Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
  • Hoyt LT; Department of Psychology, Fordham University, Bronx, New York, USA.
  • Dotson MP; Department of Sociology & Anthropology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
  • Castro EM; Department of Psychology and Human Development, School of Education & Information Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
  • May M; Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
  • Cohen AK; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
Am J Community Psychol ; 71(1-2): 136-146, 2023 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2172355
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic and violence against people of Color during 2020 brought troubling racial inequities to the forefront of American discourse. In line with the Critical Consciousness (CC) and Social Justice Youth Development (SJYD) frameworks, emerging adults may have developed their capacity for critical reflection, motivation, and action against systemic inequities. We drew from interviews with 27 emerging adults (ages 18-23) across the US, and used thematic analysis to explore differences in their reflections, motivations to act, and actions based on their racial/ethnic identification. We found nuanced variability in their critical reflections based on self, social, or global awareness and experiences of marginalization. White and Asian emerging adults used vague language or expressed feeling their reflections were insufficient. Black and Latinx emerging adults emphasized the importance of education and raising awareness. Although all emerging adults took action based on a sense of duty, few engaged in critical action; decisions to take in-person action varied based on whether they viewed racism or COVID-19 as a greater threat. Findings demonstrate that emerging adults' experiences of racialization may have related to their CC development. We share implications for community psychologists conducting antiracist research addressing White fragility and dismantling racial hierarchy.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Racism / COVID-19 Type of study: Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Humans / Young adult Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Am J Community Psychol Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ajcp.12638

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Racism / COVID-19 Type of study: Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Humans / Young adult Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Am J Community Psychol Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ajcp.12638