Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Racial Attitudes in the Workplace Among Age Groups of African American Women LaDonna S. Cooper Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Quantitative Psychology Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by LaDonna Cooper has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Marlon Sakul, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Georita Frierson, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. James Brown, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Racial Attitudes in the Workplace Among Age Groups of African American Women by LaDonna Cooper MS, University of Phoenix, 2006 BS, Chowan University, 2001 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Organizational Psychology Walden University August 2018 Abstract Limited research exists on the impact of racial attitudes upon varying age groups of African American women in the workplace. The factors of conformity, dissonance, resistance, and internalization among African American women of accumulated negative experiences may affect their performance in the workplace. The purpose of this comparative descriptive quantitative study was to use the PRIAS and OCB scales to examine the impact of generational status and racial attitudes on organizational citizenship behavior in a sample of African American women. The study was guided by the theoretical framework of Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior. Participants in the study consisted of individuals in Generation Y (aged 21-34), Generation X (aged 35-49), and the Baby Boomer generation (aged 50-64). Two survey instruments guided this study: the People of Color Racial Identity Attitude Scale (PRIAS) and the Organizational Citizenship Behavior Checklist (OCB-C). MANOVA and multiple regression were the statistical data analysis procedures that provided results for the 2 research questions guiding this study. The results showed statistically significant differences in racial attitudes among varying age groups of African American women in the workplace; Baby Boomers scored highest across the measures and Generation X scored lowest. Key themes related to this study were racial attitudes, self-identity, self-efficacy, racial bias, and stress-related issues. Organizations that have a limited minority workplace population will benefit from this study because workplace productivity can increase through positive interventions, awareness, and advocacy for positive change. Racial Attitudes in the Workplace Among Age Groups of African American Women by LaDonna Cooper Doctor of Philosophy Organizational Psychology Walden University August 2018 Table of Contents List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ................................................................................... 1 Background of the Problem ............................................................................................ 2 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................ 4 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................... 5 Significance of the Study ................................................................................................ 7 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................... 7 Research Question and Hypotheses ................................................................................ 9 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................. 11 Assumptions .................................................................................................................. 13 Limitations .................................................................................................................... 14 Delimitations ................................................................................................................. 14 Definition of Terms....................................................................................................... 14 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 16 Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................................ 18 Documentation .............................................................................................................. 18 Historical Overview ...................................................................................................... 19 Theory of Planned Behavior ......................................................................................... 20 African American Racial Attitudes, Development, and OCB ...................................... 22 Racial Attitudes in the Workplace: A Minority Perspective ........................................ 23 i Counseling and Mentoring in the Workplace ............................................................... 25 Self-Efficacy and Historical Image in the Workplace .................................................. 26 Racial Identity ............................................................................................................... 27 Minority Women's Psyches, Health, and Workplace Performance .............................. 29 Stress Factors Towards Racial Attitudes in the Workplace .......................................... 30 Salary and Socioeconomics .......................................................................................... 32 Affirmative Action in Action ........................................................................................ 34 Social Support, Self-Identity, and Workplace Satisfaction .......................................... 35 Age and Racial Disparity .............................................................................................. 36 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 38 Chapter 3: Research Method ............................................................................................. 41 Research Method and Design ....................................................................................... 42 Population, Sample, and Sampling Methodology......................................................... 43 Research Questions and Hypotheses ............................................................................ 44 Procedure ...................................................................................................................... 47 Instrumentation ............................................................................................................. 48 Demographic Questionnaire ..................................................................................... 49 The PRIAS Instrument .............................................................................................. 49 Role of Researcher ........................................................................................................ 51 Power Analysis ............................................................................................................. 51 Operational Definition of Variables .............................................................................. 53 Racial Identity ........................................................................................................... 53 ii Generational Status ................................................................................................... 53 Statistical Analysis ........................................................................................................ 54 Missing Data ............................................................................................................. 56 Parametric Assumptions ........................................................................................... 56 Order of Analyses ..................................................................................................... 57 Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) ............................................................ 57 Multiple Regression .................................................................................................. 58 Ethical Considerations .................................................................................................