Description of the Scale

The Cultural and Racial Experiences of Socialization Scale (CARES-35) is a measurement tool designed to assess individuals’ perceptions, experiences, and attitudes regarding socialization with respect to cultural and racial dimensions. The scale includes 35 items that cover various aspects of socialization, such as the impact of racial socialization, cultural beliefs, and racial stereotypes. The purpose of the scale is to provide a comprehensive and reliable measurement of experiences related to cultural and racial identity and how these experiences affect individuals’ lives and interactions.

Data Analysis and Usage

The analysis of data collected through the CARES-35 involves:

Item Processing: Items on the scale are evaluated using Likert scales, where responses are categorized from “Never” to “Very Often.” Each item on the scale assesses a specific aspect of cultural and racial socialization.

Score Calculation: Mean scores are calculated for each subcategory, such as protection against racial discrimination, cultural insights, racial stereotypes, intercultural handling, and basic old-school principles. Scores can be used to assess the intensity of beliefs and experiences related to these categories.

Correlation Analysis: The given values are compared with other variables or data from other scales to identify relationships and trends. This can help understand the impact of cultural and racial factors on behavior and academic performance.

Data Interpretation: The analyses allow for understanding how cultural and racial experiences affect participants. This includes identifying positive and negative impacts and understanding the needs for potential interventions or support measures.

Purpose

The purpose of the CARES-35 is to provide a comprehensive and reliable measurement of cultural and racial socialization experiences, facilitating the understanding of the impact of these experiences on individuals’ academic and social lives. The tool can be used for:

Impact Assessment: To evaluate the impact of cultural and racial experiences on academic performance and social inclusion.

Intervention Design: To design targeted interventions and programs that support the cultural and racial well-being of students.

Research: To enhance research on racial and cultural socialization issues and advance scientific understanding.

Scoring

For scoring the CARES-35:

Item Categorization: The scale is divided into five categories: Protection Against Racial Discrimination, Cultural Insights, Racial Stereotypes, Intercultural Handling, and Basic Old-School Principles. Each category includes specific items from the scale.

Category Score Calculation: The mean of responses for each category is calculated. The overall score for each category reflects the intensity of related beliefs and experiences.

Result Interpretation: The results are analyzed to understand general trends and areas that may require additional attention or intervention.

Bibliography

Bentley-Edwards, K. L., & Stevenson, H. C. (2013). Evolving with the times: Reconceptualizing the measurement of racial/ethnic socialization to account for multidimensional processes. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Laurent, Vanessa R. (2016). “The Impact of Racial Socialization on the Academic Achievement of Black Students”. Western Michigan University, Dissertations. http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/1609