Date of Conferral

3-11-2024

Date of Award

March 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Ethel Perry

Abstract

Navigating the Black professional identity in U.S. work environments poses challenges for social workers, with limited research addressing racial salience, power dynamics, and self-concept within their specific workplace contexts. Using self-concept theory, and the multidimensional model of racial identity as theoretical and conceptual frameworks, the purpose of this research was to examine Black social workers’ attitudes about self-concept using racial salience, power distance, and employee tenure as predictors. Using web-based surveys to collect data, a purposive sample of 77 participants were used to complete demographic information, a measure of centrality to gauge racial salience Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity, a measure of self-concept using the Self-Concept Questionnaire, a measure of power dynamics using the Power Distance Index subscale of the Cultural Values Scale, and a measure of tenure (length of time in current role). The research questions included (a) to what degree racial saliency predicted Black social workers’ attitudes about self-concept in the workplace, (b) to what degree perceived power differences predicted Black social workers’ attitudes about self-concept in the workplace, and (c) to what degree employee tenure predicted Black social workers’ self-concept in the workplace. Using multiple regression analysis, results suggested that racial salience, power distance, and employee tenure were not significant predictors of Black social worker’s self-concept in the workplace. The non-significance implies positive social change through a need for further exploration and reevaluation of the research design and variables. Specifically, how variables may intersect, as well as the potential for mixed-methods research in the future.

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