Three Ethnic and Racial Identity Measures: Concurrent and Divergent Validity for Diverse Adolescents

Abstract

Racial and ethnic identity research encompasses ethnic identity (Phinney, 1992), collective self-esteem (Luhtanen & Crocker, 1992), and racial identity (Sellers, Chavous, & Cooke, 1998). Distinguishing racial and ethnic identity constructs is difficult due to the complexity of racial and ethnic identity and conceptual differences between several psychometrically sound instruments (Ponterotto & Park-Taylor, 2007). This study investigated simultaneously the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure, the Collective Self-Esteem Scale–Race, and the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity in a sample of 160 diverse adolescents, comparing across measures to identify similar and dissimilar theoretical and item content. Reliability scores were adequate. Expectations for convergent validity were met. Significant moderate correlations were found for group membership and saliency of identity subscales (r = .31 to .46). Theoretically similar public or private regard subscales evidenced convergent validity at moderate to high levels (r = .73 and .91). No significant correlations emerged between private identity and public identity subscales. Identity researchers are encouraged to explore the nuanced theoretical bases on which measures were developed and the tremendous potential for application to specific research questions for specific groups within specific cultural contexts.