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The following is a summary of “Role of “The Talk” and Its Themes in Black Youths’ Anticipatory Stress of Police Brutality,” published in the December 2024 issue of Pediatrics by Webb et al.
Studies on conversations between caregivers and Black youth regarding police interactions, often referred to as “the talk,” have increased in recent years. Still, their influence on stress related to potential police brutality remains unclear.
Researchers conducted a prospective study to examine how receiving “the talk” affects Black youths’ anticipatory stress regarding police brutality.
They collected data from the Survey of Police-Adolescent Contact Experiences (SPACE), focusing on Black youth aged 12 to 21 years (n = 339) in Baltimore, Maryland, between August 2022 and July 2023. Multivariable ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions were used to analyze associations between “the talk” and anticipatory stress of police brutality.
The results showed that receiving “the talk” was associated with lower anticipatory stress of police brutality. Among those who received “the talk,” specific parental messages were linked to significant increases in anticipatory stress compared to other messages (P<0.05).
They concluded that “the talk” may have complex implications on youth well-being, suggesting the need for further research on the role of racial socialization and youth stress management.
