Exploratory Analysis of Literacy Skills, Civic Engagement, and Political Efficacy of Black Adults in the United States

Black adults’ beliefs about civic and political engagement are possible avenues toward social equality. Adult literacy skills are known to be linked with civic and political participation. Yet, in this context, relatively little is documented about the general Black adult population as well as within-group differences. The current study analyzed the data (N = 1,720; n [Black women] = 950; n [Black men] = 770) from the 2012/2014/2017 U.S. Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies. Results from the linear regressions for frequencies of civic engagement and political efficacy identified literacy proficiency and college-level education were important predictors of civic engagement and political efficacy. Gender differences were identified.