Exploring the Influence of Racial-Ethnic and Gender Identity on the Prosocial Behaviors of African American Adolescent Males

Abstract

African American male students face a multitude of challenges that may lead to poor academic and social outcomes at school. There is extensive research on the predictors of their problems, but far less on the factors that can lead to positive outcomes. To address this gap, this exploratory study asked two main questions. Does racial-ethnic identity and gender identity predict adolescent African American males’ prosocial behaviors, and if so, is this done jointly or independently? Using regression analysis, this study found racial public regard, gender public regard, and gender private regard positively predicted participants’ prosocial behaviors. In addition, racial public regard moderated the positive relationship between racial centrality and prosocial behaviors as well as the positive relationship between racial private regard and prosocial behaviors. Findings suggest critical conversations concerning race should be included in social-emotional learning initiatives for these students.