Development and Validation of the Black Community Activism Orientation Scale

Abstract

In this article, we describe the development and validation of a measure of orientation toward activism in and for the Black community—the Black Community Activism Orientation Scale (BCAOS)—in a sample of Black adolescents and emerging adults. An exploratory factor analysis ( n = 446) was conducted and the results were a 26-item measure with scores of three internally consistent factors: high-risk, low-risk, and formal political activism orientation. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted ( n = 447) and strong model fit estimates confirmed the factor structure of the exploratory factor analysis. Convergent validity was established through bivariate correlations of the BCAOS factors with social responsibility beliefs and nationalist ideology. In light of increased participation in sociopolitical movements in support of Black lives, the BCAOS can contribute to investigations of the psychology of adolescent and emerging adult activism in and for the Black community. We recommend additional scale development research to further contribute to this growing field.