Date of Conferral
7-22-2026
Date of Award
July 2026
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Dr. Hedy Dexter
Abstract
As social media has become a central context for identity development, sociopolitical awareness, and civic engagement among Black emerging adults, exposure to racialized content, experiences of online discrimination, and competing narratives regarding racial progress may heighten awareness of systemic inequities and strengthen collective racial identity. To date, the potential of these experiences to motivate engagement in Black community activism to advocate for community empowerment has not been investigated. Informed by social identity theory, this quantitative study assessed the relative importance of motives for social media use, perceived racial progress, and Black identity centrality in predicting Black community activism among emerging Black adults in the United States. Online surveys were administered to 71 participants via SurveyMonkey. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed two significant results: Social media use motives positively predicted Black community activism, whereas Black identity centrality negatively predicted Black community activism. While motives for social media use increased the likelihood of engaging in community activism, Black identity centrality, contrary to expectations, reduced that likelihood. These findings have implications for positive social change by providing educators, mental health professionals, and community organizations with insights to develop educational programs that promote civic engagement and community involvement among Black emerging adults.
Recommended Citation
Gordon, Johnnie, "The Relative Strength of Social Media Motives, Perceived Race Relations, and the Centrality of Black Identity in Predicting Black Community Activism" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20411.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20411
