Hope, Agency, or Disconnect

Abstract

Social cohesion and agency in Blacks have not been sufficiently explored in a culturally relevant context. The current study ( n = 242 Black college students) explores the concept of racial cohesion, or the intersection of racial identity, common fate destiny, and sociopolitical agency by determining the psychometric properties of the Racial Cohesion Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis established that the Racial Cohesion Questionnaire had two factors, Racial Agency and Psychological Cohesion. Additionally, racial ambivalence and disconnect was measured by the Black Racial Dissonance Inventory, which was determined using exploratory factor analysis. Racial cohesion and dissonance were also investigated for their relationship with community engagement and racism stress.