Kim Williams, Todd Becker, and Lauren McCarthy
October 05, 2023Article chosen as best quantitative article of 2022 in Journal of Social Work Education
An article published by PhD Candidate Kim Williams and former PhD students Dr. Todd Becker (PhD '23) and Dr. Lauren McCarthy (PhD '22 was selected as the JSWE Best Quantitative Article of Volume 58. The article is titled, "Individual characteristics associated with color-blind racial attitudes in master of social work students.”
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 color-blind racial ideology (CBRI) at the bivariate and multivariate levels.
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.
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