Complex cross-sectional associations emerged between critical consciousness and socioemotional well-being, and longitudinally, higher critical reflection was associated with greater anxiety symptoms 1-year later among Black and Latine young adults in Canada.
Key Findings
Results
The study found complex cross-sectional associations between critical consciousness components and socioemotional well-being outcomes in Black and Latine young adults.
Sample consisted of 511 Black and Latine young adults aged 18-34 years old in Canada
71% of the sample identified as women
Socioemotional well-being was measured across three outcomes: depression, anxiety, and self-esteem
Critical consciousness was assessed across three components: critical reflection, critical motivation, and critical action
Both cross-sectional and short-term longitudinal models were employed
Results
Higher critical reflection was longitudinally associated with greater anxiety symptoms one year later.
This was a short-term longitudinal finding measured over approximately 1 year
The association was specific to critical reflection, one of the three CC components
The finding suggests that examining social inequalities and one's experiences may have mental health costs over time
The study notes that mental health implications of CC development, particularly engagement in critical action, remain unclear
Background
The mental health implications of critical consciousness development, particularly engagement in critical action, remain unclear especially in young adulthood and over time.
The paper identifies a gap in the literature regarding longitudinal mental health consequences of CC
Young adulthood (18-34 years) is identified as a specific understudied period for CC development
Critical action involves partaking in collective action against social injustices
The authors call for further research to investigate longer-term consequences of CC on well-being and mental health
Background
Critical consciousness is described as a key developmental process enabling examination of social inequalities, cultivation of empowerment, and participation in collective action.
CC comprises three components: critical reflection (examining experiences and social inequalities), critical motivation (cultivating empowerment to take action), and critical action (partaking in collective action against injustices)
CC is described as particularly relevant for people of color and marginalized communities who are systematically disadvantaged
The study focuses on Black and Latine adults as populations for whom CC development is especially salient
What This Means
This research examined whether developing 'critical consciousness' — the ability to recognize and respond to social inequalities — is associated with mental health outcomes in Black and Latine young adults living in Canada. Critical consciousness involves three parts: critically reflecting on social inequalities and one's own experiences, feeling motivated to take action, and actually participating in collective action. The researchers surveyed 511 Black and Latine adults (ages 18–34, 71% women) at two time points approximately one year apart, measuring their levels of depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and critical consciousness.
The study found that while there were various associations between critical consciousness and mental health when looking at a single point in time, the clearest finding over the one-year follow-up period was that people who scored higher on critical reflection — meaning they more deeply analyzed social inequalities — reported higher anxiety symptoms one year later. This suggests that being more aware of and thinking deeply about systemic injustice may come with a mental health cost, at least in the short term.
This research suggests that encouraging critical consciousness as a tool for empowerment in marginalized communities may have unintended mental health trade-offs, particularly around anxiety. The authors note that more long-term studies are needed to understand whether these effects persist, worsen, or potentially reverse over time as people move from reflection to action. These findings could have implications for how community programs and mental health services support young Black and Latine adults who are engaged in social justice awareness and activism.
Donciu L, Desmarais A, Christophe N. (2026). Short-Term Longitudinal Associations Between Critical Consciousness and Well-Being in Black and Latine Adults in Canada.. Journal of community psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.70091