Ethnic Identity, Ethnic Attitudes, Self-Esteem, and Esteem toward Others among Estonian and Russian Adolescents

Abstract

Ethnic identity in relation to self-esteem and esteem toward others, along with attitudes toward one’s own and other ethnic groups, was examined among Estonian and Russian adolescents. Significant differences appeared across components of ethnic identity and between minority and majority groups. Positive feelings about the in-group (ethnic pride—EP) were associated with positive attitudes toward other ethnic groups among minority but not majority youths. Strong ethnic differentiation (ED), in turn, was associated with negative out-group attitudes among both groups and positive in-group attitudes among the majority group. This contrast between aspects of ethnic identity appeared also in relation to self-esteem and esteem toward others. Whereas EP was associated with positive esteem toward others, ED correlated with negative evaluation of other people. Self-esteem correlated negatively with ED and was not related to EP. The salience of EP and ED may vary across different ethnic groups, depending on the group status and historical background of identity development.