Anti‐racism activism among Black adolescents and emerging adults: Understanding the roles of racism and anticipatory racism‐related stress

This study examines associations between individual racism, anticipatory racism‐related stress, and anti‐racism activism among Black adolescents (n = 443; Mage = 15.6; 57.4% female) and emerging adults (n = 447; Mage = 23.8; 77.6% female). The authors tested competing hypotheses about associations between individual racism and anti‐racism activism on anticipatory racism‐related stress. Findings indicated anticipatory racism‐related stress may be both a catalyst and consequence of engagement in anti‐racism activism for Black adolescents and emerging adults. Results for each age group varied by type of stress (physiological; psychological) and activism (low‐risk; high‐risk). Supporting youth engagement in anti‐racism activism without increasing anticipatory racism‐related stress is a key priority for meaningfully advancing scholarship on the development of anti‐racism and pursuit of racial justice.