https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1403-9550
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ABSTRACT
This paper details the development and psychometric validation of the Everyday Colourism Scale (ECS), a measure designed to capture perceived skin shade prejudice from the ingroup (ethnic peers) and the outgroup (White people). The ECS was adapted from the Everyday Discrimination Scale using existing research, expert reviews, and acceptability interviews. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability and validity analyses were conducted based on responses from 540 people of colour living in the UK. Predictive validity was tested based on data from an additional 201 participants. Results supported a 2-factor model, with good internal and test–retest reliability, and construct validity. Colourism from White people was associated with more frequent experiences of racism, higher internalized colourism, and greater anxiety. Colourism from participants’ ethnic peers was associated with lower self-esteem and perceived social support. Findings suggest the ECS is a promising new tool for assessing perceived colourism among a multi-ethnic UK sample.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to first thank the participants who shared their experiences and perspectives for this research. Second, we also thank the subject experts for generously providing feedback on the Everyday Colourism Scale and to those who took part in cognitive interviews. Finally, we thank the community organizations and individuals who helped amplify this work during recruitment, helping us reach more people.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 According to the UK Census 2011, 61.5 per cent of people living in England or Wales who belong to a Black, Asian, Mixed or Other ethnic group are Asian/Asian British while 23.1% are Black/African/Caribbean/Black British.