Contextual Influences on Ethnic Identity among Hawaiian Students in the Mainland United States

Abstract

A sample of 19 residents of Hawaii were surveyed after their social context changed from majority group to minority group status as a result of relocation to the mainland United States to attend college. Multivariate statistical methods were used to evaluate the effects of group attitudes and length of residence in the mainland on ethnic identity and affiliative behavior. Results showed (a) an internalization of the perceived attitudes of mainland students with respect to the attitudes held by Hawaiian students toward their own group, (b) a strong association between Hawaiian students' attitudes toward their own group and affiliation with other Hawaiian students, (c) a marked reduction in the perceived favorability of attitudes of mainland students after the first year of mainland residence, (d) a decline in Hawaiian identification with increasing years of mainland residence, and (e) no association between Hawaiian identification and affiliative behavior toward fellow Hawaiian students.