The present study tested a path analytic model that addressed two questions regarding the connection between one aspect of racial socialization (cultural pride reinforcement), communication between mothers and their adolescent children, adolescent ethnic identity, and mental health. First, we tested whether quality of communication moderated the relationship between cultural pride reinforcement and ethnic identity affirmation and anxiety/depressive/withdrawn symptoms. Then, we examined whether cultural pride reinforcement and quality of communication with mothers were directly linked to ethnic identity affirmation and in turn lower anxiety/depressive symptoms and withdrawn behaviors. Our sample included 111 African American adolescents (58.2% female; ages 14–17) in the mid-Atlantic region. Results of a path analysis indicated that cultural pride reinforcement and quality of communication independently and uniquely related to internalizing symptoms through ethnic identity affirmation. Findings contribute to a novel understanding of how both cultural (cultural pride reinforcement) and universal (quality of communication) are important factors to foster African American adolescents’ healthy adjustment and sense of self.

本研究测试了一个路径分析模型，该模型解决了关于种族社会化的一个方面（文化自豪感强化）、母亲与其青春期子女之间的交流、青少年种族认同和心理健康之间的联系的两个问题。首先，我们测试了沟通质量是否会调节文化自豪感强化与民族认同肯定以及焦虑/抑郁/退缩症状之间的关系。然后，我们研究了文化自豪感的增强和与母亲的沟通质量是否与种族认同的确认直接相关，进而降低焦虑/抑郁症状和退缩行为。我们的样本包括大西洋中部地区的 111 名非洲裔美国青少年（女性占 58.2%；年龄在 14-17 岁之间）。路径分析的结果表明，文化自豪感的强化和沟通质量与通过民族认同肯定的内化症状独立且独特地相关。研究结果有助于对文化（增强文化自豪感）和普遍性（交流质量）如何成为促进非裔美国青少年健康适应和自我意识的重要因素的新理解。