Relations Between Narrative Construction of Ethnicity-Based Discrimination and Ethnic Identity Exploration and Pride

Abstract

Narrative identity work can offer fruitful insights into how individuals explore ethnic identity and develop a sense of ethnic pride. This study examined links between status and narrative approaches to ethnic identity development in a small sample of ethnically diverse college students. Findings revealed few differences in narratives about ethnicity-based discrimination between majority ethnicity (n = 41) and minority ethnicity participants (n = 36). However, within-group analyses suggest that discrimination narratives show stronger relations to ethnic identity among minority ethnicity participants, as compared to majority participants. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for ethnic identity development in emerging adulthood.