Immigrant Young Adults of Color’s Racial Dialogues in Family: A Qualitative Exploration

Immigrant young adults of color and their family members from older generations often have a different frame of reference, acculturation, or racial consciousness, which may affect their conversations around race and racial issues. This qualitative study examined how immigrant young adults of color engage in racial dialogues with their older family members, how these discussions evolve depending on the group being discussed—such as those of the same or different race or ethnicity—and the key insights they gain from these dialogues. A total of 27 self-identified immigrants of color participated in hour-long one-on-one interviews. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified socioecological elements that encompass generational dynamics, intraracial and interracial dynamics, and community and social influences. Our findings highlight the role of family racial consciousness, the shared challenges and resilience, and the socioemotional processes involved in racial dialogues. We also discuss the implications for practice, training and advocacy, and suggestions for research.