The Moderating Effects of Religious Support and Family Support Between Racial Discrimination and Psychological Health Outcomes Among Black Adolescents

Author

Tiera Cleveland, University of South CarolinaFollow

Date of Award

Summer 2025

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Pamela Martin

Abstract

Racial discrimination is a common experience for Black adolescents. This study aimed to examine family support and religious support as a moderating variable between discrimination and mental health among Black adolescents. This study utilized data from an existing data set, the National Survey of American Life-Adolescent (NSAL-A). The NSAL-A included 1170 adolescents: 810 African American¹ and 360 Black Caribbean². The sample contained an equal amount of female (n = 608) and male (n = 562) Black adolescents³, who range in age from 13 to 17 years. Significant findings suggest that family support moderates the impact of racial discrimination on perceived stress and selfesteem but not on depressive symptomology for Black youth. This research affirms the value of familial connection in promoting positive development among Black youth. By examining the protective nature of family and religious support, this study adds to the broader literature on the mental health of Black adolescents navigating experiences of racial discrimination.

Rights

© 2025, Tiera Cleveland

Recommended Citation

Cleveland, T.(2025). The Moderating Effects of Religious Support and Family Support Between Racial Discrimination and Psychological Health Outcomes Among Black Adolescents. (Master's thesis). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/8363