Psychometric properties of the Multi-group Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) in a sample of Iranian young adults.

Mojtaba Habibi,Maede Sadat Etesami,Mohammad Ali Taghizadeh,Danilo Garcia,Faezeh Sadat Akrami

doi:10.7717/peerj.10752

Abstract

BackgroundThis study examines the factor structure, reliability and test-retest validity of the 12-item Iranian version of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM). Additionally, the MEIM’s concurrent validity was tested by investigating the association between ethnic identity and subjective well-being.MethodThe scale was translated into Persian language and was administered to 426 students (193 female) at a major public university in Tehran along with the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale.ResultsThe confirmatory factor analysis supported the two-factor first-order commitment, and exploration (consisting of 12 items), and the second-order unidimensional factor structure of general ethnic identity. Moreover, we found evidence for good internal consistency, test re-test reliability, and concurrent validity.ConclusionThe MEIM Persian version was found to be a valid and reliable measure to examine ethnic identity in this Iranian student population, for both males and females. These results support the utility of the Persian version of the MEIM for its use in Middle-Eastern contexts.

Highlights

Ethnic identity is a multidimensional and ever-evolving phenomena that has been defined in various ways. Tajfel (1981), for example, defined ethnic identity as part of one’s individualityHow to cite this article Habibi M, Etesami MS, Taghizadeh MA, Akrami FS, Garcia D. 2021
We investigated the association between ethnic identity and subjective well-being
This study serves an important purpose since ethnic identity plays a major role in normal development and positive youth adjustment (Rivas-Drake et al, 2014)

Summary

Introduction

Ethnic identity is a multidimensional and ever-evolving phenomena that has been defined in various ways. Tajfel (1981), for example, defined ethnic identity as part of one’s individualityHow to cite this article Habibi M, Etesami MS, Taghizadeh MA, Akrami FS, Garcia D. 2021. Psychometric properties of the Multi-group Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) in a sample of Iranian young adults. Helms (2007) defined it as belonging to an ethnic group that has specific heritage, values and characteristics (Phinney & Ong, 2007). This study examines the factor structure, reliability and test-retest validity of the 12-item Iranian version of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM). The MEIM Persian version was found to be a valid and reliable measure to examine ethnic identity in this Iranian student population, for both males and females. These results support the utility of the Persian version of the MEIM for its use in MiddleEastern contexts

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