Young adults ages 18-25 experience a significant period of identity development and expression that is either nurtured or hindered by their proximity to positive community resources (PCRs) (Child Trends, 2025). For young Black individuals, new research has highlighted the effects of racial inequities on their ability to reliably access these PCRs. Within the broader context of positive experiences for young adults, adverse community experiences (ACEs) like racism and discrimination are particularly impactful for Black young adults in affecting the way that they seek out PCRs. Systemic racism has significant impacts on young Black adult’s development and coping behaviors, reinforcing the need to create infrastructure to support their access to PCRs in intentional ways (Rabinowitz, 2019)
In newly published research, Child Trends worked with Cities United to conduct a “virtual community mapping” study following 12 Black young adults ages 18-25. They held virtual focus group discussions to identify what PCRs most support their lives and development. Participants identified PCRs that fell under four broad categories of Social and Mental Well-being, Physical Well-being, Economic Well-being, and Cultural Well-being, as seen below
The PCRs identified above play a significant role in understanding what is most important for Black emerging adults, particularly as they navigate new experiences and communities such as college or the workforce.
As the Social Policy Institute actively seeks to help attune the resources at San Diego State University to the needs of its students through the HOPE Framework, it is insightful to acknowledge the PCRs Black young adults find most impactful to ensure that there is equity throughout the framework’s implementation. Each of the PCRs these young adults highlight can be reinforced through the unifying lens of the HOPE Framework’s building blocks.
- Relationships: Prioritizing a diverse array of relationships had significant impacts on the young adults, including intergenerational relationships with mentors through churches or colleges. Maintaining these relationships through different activities creates strong anchors to promote young adult’s physical and social/mental well-being, as well as their economic well-being due to the connection between establishing a network and drawing on it for financial stability.
- Engagement: Activities that involve community expression or the arts to promote an individual’s cultural or economic well-being ensure that young adults create meaningful engagements in their everyday lives. Sometimes, as expressed by the participants in the study, young adults have to be intentional about accessing these experiences and engaging critically with their community in order to draw benefits.
- Environment: The environment which contributes to our well-being is more than just our physical surroundings, and includes the social context and acceptance experienced on a daily basis throughout everyday interactions. This encapsulates so much of what allows an individual to feel safe and stable, directly connecting to both our physical and social/mental well-being.
- Emotional growth: Opportunities to develop socially, academically, or mentally encapsulate a larger sense of “emotional growth,” which the young adults in this study reflected on as being critical for social/mental and economic well-being. Access to adult learning opportunities, which young adults often receive through social relationships, can create direct access to things like stable employment or mentorship.
As recognized in the HOPE Framework, none of these PCRs can be analyzed completely individually, and participants often found benefits in multiple categories as a result of engaging with one. For example, participants of the study described how going to the gym or libraries to promote physical or mental well-being also allowed them to develop their social well-being. “Stacking” PCRs is often something that tends to be done unintentionally but is one of the best ways for young adults to reach all components required to experience holistic well-being.
How can HOPE Network partners build community protective factors for SDSU students?
- SDSU supports a diverse student body and strives to provide culturally responsive and relevant resources for all groups on campus. As a member of the San Diego HOPE Network, supporting the HOPE at SDSU project must center discussions around improving the resources offered for disadvantaged groups at the university. A core component of the HOPE framework is utilizing an equity lens when identifying and promoting resources for students that also work within the community.
- Additionally, a student’s experience as a young adult isn’t limited by their university experience – ensuring that students have the opportunity to engage with organizations and activities outside of the academic setting is essential to providing them with the full gamut of PCRs needed to thrive. Child Trends identified “Third places,” – those that individuals can connect with peers in that does not include work, home, or school, – as significantly important for the individuals who participated in the study. Consider how being a member of the San Diego HOPE Network can allow your organization/group to support individuals who lack access to the PCRs needed to thrive, and whether there are opportunities or access points for these individuals to get involved.
For more information and research about Black emerging adults, click here.
Sources
Sanders, M., Martinez, D.N., & Winston, J. (2024). Black emerging adults identify protective community resources that promote their well-being. Child Trends. DOI: 10.56417/9456j9286y
Rabinowitz, J.A., Powell, T., Sadler, R. et al. Neighborhood Profiles and Associations with Coping Behaviors among Low-Income Youth. J Youth Adolescence 49, 494–505 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-019-01176-y
