The Role of Ethnic Identity in Preserving the Future Expectations of Justice-Involved Black Male Youth in the United States Following Direct Victimization

Black males in the United States are at heightened risk for victimization. Additionally, Black males are overrepresented in the legal system, compounding their risk for victimization. Survivors of victimization have been shown to develop more pessimistic views of their future. For Black male youth, these beliefs are essential for fostering motivation and, ultimately, driving their success. The present study examines whether ethnic identity buffers the association between victimization (direct and vicarious) and future expectations. Participants were 449 Black-identifying male youth arrested for serious felony offenses. They were interviewed at multiple intervals over 7 years. Fixed-effects regression analyses were conducted to estimate whether the association between victimization and future expectations varied as a function of ethnic identity. Results revealed that having low ethnic identity resulted in diminished future expectations after direct victimization. There was no association between direct victimization and future expectations at mean levels of ethnic identity. Interestingly, having high ethnic identity resulted in increased future expectations after direct victimization. No significant associations were observed when examining vicarious victimization. These findings demonstrate that direct victimization has the potential to diminish Black male youths' future expectations. An average or strong sense of ethnic identity, however, can preserve or enhance these beliefs, even after direct victimization. This study identifies ethnic identity as one potential avenue to buffer the consequences of direct victimization and foster these expectations in spite of being victimized. These findings may inform future work aimed at promoting resilience and strengthening youths' belief in themselves by nurturing their racial or ethnic identity.