# An Examination of the Bidirectional and Contextual Relationship between Critical Consciousness and Wellbeing Among Minoritized Emerging Adults

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2021 · $38,169

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Emerging adults experiencing structural discrimination based on race/ethnicity, gender, and/or sexual
orientation are at heightened risk for wellbeing challenges. The recent sociopolitical environment during the
COVID-19 pandemic has further amplified disparities in wellbeing. Scholarship suggests that critical
consciousness (i.e., one’s analysis and action against structural discrimination) may help to protect and
promote wellbeing among minoritized emerging adults facing discrimination. Furthermore, participation in
community-based organizations that foster critical consciousness and work to dismantle structural
discrimination may protect minoritized emerging adults’ wellbeing. Thus, it is important to investigate the
bidirectional and contextual relationship between critical consciousness and wellbeing. In order to understand
the relationship between critical consciousness and wellbeing, I will conduct a mixed methods study to
understand the relationship between critical consciousness and wellbeing longitudinally, and with consideration
to the influences of discrimination and community-based organizations. I will focus specifically on the
experiences of three minoritized groups: Asian-origin, women, and lesbian/gay/bisexual/queer/questioning
(LGBQ+) emerging adults. The primary hypothesis of this proposal is that there will be a significant
relationship between CC and wellbeing over time, and that CC may not fully buffer minoritized
emerging adults against discrimination, but that CC development that occurs within an community
based organizations will promote wellbeing. I will address the hypothesis and achieve the goals of this
proposal through 3 Aims. In Aim 1, I will use path analysis to understand the evolution of critical
consciousness over four time points and then examine the relationship between critical consciousness and
wellbeing (measured by anxiety, stress, and hopefulness) bidirectionally for each group over time. In Aim 2, I
will again use path analysis, now introducing critical consciousness as a moderator, to determine the role
critical consciousness may play in reducing the relationship between discrimination and wellbeing for each
group. In Aim 3, I will conduct in-depth interviews to qualitatively explore the role of identity-linked
community-based organizations in further encouraging wellbeing among minoritized emerging adults as they
develop their critical consciousness. Investigation into the role of critical consciousness on wellbeing is a new
and growing field. This work, when complete, will contribute meaningfully to our base of knowledge regarding
the support of minoritized emerging adults facing structural discrimination, and thus will have far reaching
consequences for research on health and health disparities, as well as efforts to cultivate community-oriented
interventions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10389072
- **Project number:** 1F31MD017135-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Elena Grace Maker Castro
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $38,169
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-27 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10389072

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10389072, An Examination of the Bidirectional and Contextual Relationship between Critical Consciousness and Wellbeing Among Minoritized Emerging Adults (1F31MD017135-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10389072. Licensed CC0.

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