Individual Characteristics Associated With Color-Blind Racial Attitudes in Master of Social Work Students

ABSTRACT

Schools of social work are tasked with preparing students to support the field’s ethical challenge of eliminating racism. Given that color-blind racial attitudes constitute a form of continued racism, identifying the factors associated with color-blind racial ideology (CBRI) in social work students represents a first step toward meeting this challenge. Drawing from critical race theory, this cross-sectional study surveyed a convenience sample of 305 master of social work (MSW) students across five schools of social work to explore which individual characteristics are significantly associated with CBRI at the bivariate and multivariate levels. A multiple linear regression assessed CBRI’s multivariate associations with demographic characteristics (i.e., age, gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation) and professional characteristics (i.e., prior work experience with marginalized communities, bachelor of social work [BSW] attainment, MSW concentration). Results showed that increased age, gender identification as men, and BSW attainment had statistically significant, positive associations with CBRI, compared to their respective reference groups. Compared to straight sexual orientation, identification as gay or lesbian, bisexual, and other sexual orientation was significantly associated with lower CBRI. Macro-focused MSW concentration was the strongest statistically significant independent variable and was associated with decreased CBRI. Fostering critical self-awareness of MSW students’ racial blind spots may support meeting social work’s ethical challenge.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Maryland PhD Program.

Notes on contributors

Todd D. Becker

Todd D. Becker is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Kimberly A. Leffler is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Lauren P. McCarthy is a doctoral candidate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Kimberly A. Leffler

Todd D. Becker is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Kimberly A. Leffler is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Lauren P. McCarthy is a doctoral candidate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Lauren P. McCarthy

Todd D. Becker is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Kimberly A. Leffler is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Lauren P. McCarthy is a doctoral candidate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.