Developmental, Ethnic, and Gender Differences in Ethnic Identity among Adolescents

Abstract

Students' ratings of five components of ethnic identity were examined: their ethnic self-label, reference group, ethnically related attitudes (ethnic pride, separatistfeeling, stereotyping of ethnic groups), values, and social expectations. Each component was examined among 32S African American, Latino, Filipino, and Anglo adolescents at an integrated, ethnically balanced high school. The independence of the dimensions of ethnic identity were indicated by modest and nonsignificant correlations among the components of ethnic identity, as well as a three-factor solution among the measures of ethnic identity. The correlations among the components of ethnic identity and the factor structure were similar among students in the upper grades (l1th and 12th) and in the lower grades (9th and IOth). Ethnic pride increased with grade level and was lowestfor Anglo and Asian students. Girls were more similar to the norns of their ethnic gPoup than were boys. The importance of multifactorand contextuallyassessed indices ofe fhnic identity is discussed.