Bicultural Identity Research Articles

Bicultural identity integration, depressive symptoms, and emotional eating among Asian and Latino undergraduate students in the U.S.

College students increasingly identify as bicultural. Bicultural identity integration (BII), the extent to which an individual can effectively manage their various cultural identities, has been associated with mental health, including depressive symptoms. However, few studies have examined the association between BII and eating behaviors among racial/ethnic minority students, even though these students are at high risk for disordered eating behaviors. The primary goals of the present study were to examine the association between BII and emotional eating, and whether depressive symptoms represent an indirect pathway in the association. Asian and Latino undergraduate college students in the U.S. (N=497; age range: 18-46years, M=20.81) completed online standardized questionnaires assessing demographics, BII, depressive symptoms, and emotional eating. Higher scores on BII harmony, not blendedness, were associated with fewer depressive symptoms (r=- 0.16, p<.001) and less emotional eating (r=- 0.13, p<.001). Moreover, depressive symptoms were the indirect pathway between BII harmony and emotional eating (b=- 0.15, p=.003, 95%CI boot [- 0.25, - 0.05]), but not between BII blendedness and emotional eating (b=- 0.04, p=.42, 95%CI boot [- 0.15, 0.06]). The results can help inform counseling services about the need to address cultural harmony to promote healthy eating behaviors, mental health, and well-being among bicultural undergraduate students.

Trauma, bicultural immersion, and growing into self: The impacts of media narratives on former refugees

Background: Building on robust research linking discrimination and poorer mental health outcomes, the current study explores the impacts of macro-level attitudes, such as in media and politics, on refugee wellbeing during resettlement. Method: A purposive sample of six former refugees of Banyamulenge ethnicity from the Democratic Republic of Congo participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, analyzed independently by two authors, and then jointly using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Five superordinate group experiential themes emerged from the data, Fleeing, rejection, and illusive safety, straddling two cultures, media stigmatizing identity, different is good, and, g rowth and wellbeing. Themes speak to overcoming turbulence and past trauma, of being othered and rejected along the way to safety that is often elusive. Participants grapple with bicultural identities, and the media’s power in shaping societal narratives. Over time, their history becomes a source of pride for redefining self through strength of character, resilience, and psychological growth. Discussion and conclusion: Findings indicate that for these participants, media was stigmatizing, and negatively impacted wellbeing, confidence, and self-esteem by threatening their self-identity and presenting challenges in other areas of their life, such as work, school, and friendships. Despite this, participants’ experiences of resettlement and bicultural immersion promoted personal growth and a positive outlook for the future. This study recognizes the need to elevate Banyamulenge youth voices as a group poorly represented in research and contributes to a better understanding of how macro-level attitudes in media impact the wellbeing of ethnic minority youth in Australia.

On bicultural identities construction: daughter and mother’s counterstories in an Asian American immigrant family

ABSTRACT This piece answers the call to explore mother-and-daughter relationships in immigrant families. It uses narratives to humanize the Asian American experiences in and out of schools. Guided by AsianCrit theory, the paper centers on the counterstories of a first-generation immigrant mother and her 2nd generation U.S. -born adolescent in a Chinese American family. The mother and the daughter each narrate their lived experiences and reflect collaboratively on how their counterstories construct their bicultural identities collectively and respectively under the tenets of Asianization and transnational context. We hope our narratives will add to the current literature to dismantle the stereotypes of Asian Americans being viewed as model minorities and honorary whites. By discussing the hyper-in/visibility of Asian Americans, we urge classroom teachers and teacher educators to amplify the voices of these marginalized groups in their daily instructions to promote the positive identity development of Asian Americans.

Bicultural bilinguals: Juggling languages, shifting ‘personalities’, destroying barriers

Purpose and research questions: Despite the amount of existing work about bilingualism and some interesting studies about biculturalism, research somehow lacks interest in considering these two aspects as one big reality, bicultural bilingualism. The aim of this article is to bridge the gap between the linguistic and the cultural components that build bicultural bilinguals and to show the importance of taking into account these two components together to have a complete understanding of the mechanisms that underlie bicultural bilinguals. Key concepts such as the Foreign Language Effect and Bicultural Identity Integration are explored to highlight how language and culture interplay in shaping identity and behaviour. Methodology: By examining the literature on language-dependent frame-switching and the integration of cultural identities, this article highlights the unique characteristics of bicultural bilinguals that differentiate them from both monocultural bilinguals and monolingual biculturalsFindings and conclusions: Bicultural bilinguals are not merely the aggregation of different languages and different cultures. They possess a unique identity that sets them apart from monocultural bilinguals and monolingual biculturals. Significance:This article is among the first to analyse bicultural bilingualism as a unified phenomenon, emphasizing the need to consider both linguistic and cultural dimensions. The findings of this analysis have broader implications for psychology, sociolinguistics, and cultural studies.

Cultural hybridity and body image formation: exploring the experiences of Wushu male practitioners at the Siberian Chinese Martial Arts Center.

This study explores the formation of a hybrid body image among white cisgender males practicing Wushu at the Siberian Chinese Martial Arts Center. Grounded in Social Identity Theory and the concept of bicultural identity, the research employs narrative interviews with 12 participants. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: the creation of a hybrid identity blending Chinese martial arts traditions with Russian cultural backgrounds, conceptualized as judanren; the challenges associated with this identity in both Russian and Chinese contexts; and the role of Wushu uniforms in reconciling these cultural contradictions, serving as a "second skin" for practitioners. The findings contribute to a more inclusive understanding of body image and identity formation in a multicultural, non-Western context.

The role of bicultural stress and shame on the well-being of South Asian college students in the United States.

South Asian U.S. college students experience socialization from South Asian cultures they grew up with and White culture outside the South Asian community. The present study considers that the ways of navigating two conflicting cultures and experiences of shame are associated with anxiety and life satisfaction among South Asian U.S. college students. An anonymous survey, distributed to 271 South Asian students (mean age = 22, 38.2% male, 59.2% female, 2.3% nonbinary), quantitively assessed how bicultural stress and shame are related to anxiety and life satisfaction. Open-ended questions asked students to describe experiences of bicultural identity stressors and shame. Survey results indicated bicultural stress and shame as predictors of anxiety and lower life satisfaction. Thematic analysis of open-ended question responses revealed experienced stressors related to academics, finances, family expectations, and fitting in. Shame experiences were tied to bicultural stress and family and self-imposed expectations of participants. There is a need to further investigate the relationships found in the present study and explore ways to support South Asian students experiencing bicultural stress and shame. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

To Whom Thou Art Bound: Bicultural Identity Integration Moderates the Influence of Conspiracy Beliefs on Chinese Americans’ Ingroup Bias

Endorsing conspiracy beliefs about an outgroup typically fosters ingroup bias. However, the response of bicultural individuals to conspiracy theories about one of their ingroups remains understudied. We posited that bicultural individuals’ display of ingroup bias in such situations hinges on their levels of bicultural identity integration (BII). Two studies involving Chinese American participants revealed that conspiracy beliefs about China were associated with lower Chinese ingroup bias among those with higher BII levels. In Study 1, high BII Chinese Americans who endorsed conspiracy theories about China reported less favorable perceptions of the Chinese ingroup, but not among low BII Chinese Americans. Study 2 replicated findings in Study 1 in that high (vs. low) BII Chinese Americans with higher conspiracy beliefs about China were less willing to allocate monetary resources to a fictitious Chinese charity and reported lower Chinese patriotism. This research contributes to the identity integration literature by illustrating how bicultural individuals with varying BII levels respond differently to geopolitical tensions in the context of conspiracy beliefs.

Semiotic Analysis of language in David Henry Hwang's FOB

The current paper attempts to do a semiotic analysis of the play Fresh off the Boat abbreviated as FOB by prominent Asian-American playwright David Henry Hwang. FOB talks about the complex cultural identities and experiences of first-generation Asian immigrants and their American-born children. Adapting Ronal Barth’s semiotics as the theoretical framework, the study explores how Hwang employs various linguistic, visual, and performative signifiers to construct and deconstruct notions of "Asianness," assimilation, the difficulties of belonging, and cultural hybridity. The play revolves around a meet-up that is filled with downsizing fresh comers to America leaving the characters in limbo which is between either settling for the host culture or maintaining their previous culture, a battle between acceptance and resistance that is full of symbolic meanings. The analysis focuses on how the play's title, character names, dialogue, stage directions, and symbolic props function as semiotic signs that convey deeper sociocultural meanings. It analyzes how these theatrical elements either reinforce or subvert stereotypical representations of Asian Americans, highlighting the characters' struggles to navigate their bicultural identities.

An ethnographic study of Vietnamese-Ukrainian identity

ABSTRACT Vietnamese Ukrainians are a largely unstudied identity group that has recently attracted attention due to the impacts of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Our study examines Vietnamese-Ukrainian bicultural identity as experienced by 10 university student refugees of the war in 2022–23. Researchers conducted semi-structured ethnographic interviews in which each participant examined identity formation experiences as second-generation Vietnamese Ukrainians. Participants also reflected upon the impacts to ethnic identity self-awareness that resulted from their unexpected return migration to Vietnam as student refugees of war. The cohort of study participants created a tight-knit Vietnamese-Ukrainian return diaspora in an environment conducive to self-reflection and exploration of their ongoing ethnic identity journeys. In our study, we argue that the ethnic identity formation of young Vietnamese Ukrainians relies on the active construction of intercultural personhood as an adaptation to transnational mobility and change.

“Why Couldn’t We?”: Experiences of Adversity, Cultural Strengths and Support Among First, Second, and Third+ Generation Mexican-origin Youth in Los Angeles

Latino/a/Hispanic adversity and adaptation literature has focused on cultural, acculturative and immigration-related stressors. Cultural and social strengths, key Latino/a/Hispanic features, and their concurrence, remain qualitatively underexplored. To enhance intervention and prevention, research understanding experiences of Latino/a/Hispanic youth adaptation representing three generations is needed. Forty participants participated in semi-structured interviews detailing adversity, cultural strengths and support during their youth. Thematic analysis approach guided coding of transcripts. Three coders met regularly to discuss and resolve differences, identifying emergent themes. The sample included 24 females and 16 males ( Mage = 27.9) characterizing three generations (first n = 15; second n = 14; third+ n = 11). Three main themes emerged: (1) perceived adversity, described discrimination, and related adversities; (2) cultural adaptation, adjustment, and the shaping of bicultural identities; and (3) supportive and formative relationships buffering adversity. Themes illustrated adversity and cultural strengths within Latino/a/Hispanic protective relationships and contexts. Findings inform policies that support Latino/a/Hispanic youth and family engagement and intervention approaches.

‘Am I both or not?’: The role of perceived societal norms of multiculturalism in negotiating bicultural identities

AbstractThe present study explored the role of perceived societal norms of multiculturalism in the engagement of cultural identity styles (hybridising‐HIS and altenating‐AIS) and, in turn, their impact on bicultural identity consolidation and cultural identity conflict. We examined 293 Chinese Americans' perceptions about the extent to which culturally diverse groups are in contact with one another (multicultural contact); whether diversity is valued and appreciated (multicultural ideology); and whether there are policies and practices that support and accommodate diversity (multicultural policies and practices) in the United States. Results from a path analysis showed that multicultural ideology was negatively associated with AIS and cultural identity conflict. Multicultural contact was positively associated with HIS and bicultural identity consolidation. Multicultural policies and practices had no significant associations. The findings underscore the important role of perceived societal acceptance of multicultural ideology and perceived norms of multicultural contact in managing cultural identities. Furthermore, the study highlights that perceived multiculturalism norms as societal‐level factors combined with individual‐level cultural identity styles can influence the identity outcomes of multicultural individuals. Further research into the role of perceived societal norms for both majority and cultural minority individuals in identity integration is warranted.

“El nombre de nuestro país está en nuestros corazones”: exploring the impact of school-based identity messaging in Central American immigrant youth

ABSTRACT For immigrant youth, the development of a bicultural identity is associated with well-being and academic achievement. The institutional and social contexts of the receiving society, including public schools, shape processes of bicultural identity development. This exploratory qualitative study, which employed a phenomenological design, explored the experiences and perspectives of 20 Central American immigrant youth, with specific attention paid to messaging received about their identities of origin in the educational milieu. Despite experiences of both positive and negative identity messaging, all participants described an enduring sense of pride from and a strong desire to retain a meaningful connection to their identities of origin. Building on these participant perspectives, this study offers a preliminary exploration of identity resilience in this population of immigrant youth. These perspectives challenge previous theoretical models and empirical work related to the effects of acculturative stress, negative identity messaging, and collective identity trauma on connection to identity of origin.

Analysis on Bicultural Identities of Chinese Americans Based on Acculturation Theory

Analysis on Bicultural Identities of Chinese Americans Based on Acculturation Theory

The darkness of reacculturation: examining factors influencing depression among Chinese international student returnees in the post-COVID-19 era.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the reintegration of Chinese international student returnees intersects with China's critical effort to combat a significant brain drain of highly skilled talents, highlighting an unprecedented psychological battleground. This convergence underscores the urgent need for nuanced research to navigate the uncharted territory of their mental health. Employing Bayesian analysis supported by Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms, this study examined depression prevalence and associated factors among 1,014 Chinese returnees. The sample comprised 44.87% male participants (455), 51.58% female participants (523), and 3.55% identifying as "Others" (36), with an age distribution of 61.74% aged 18-30 (626), 28.80% aged 31-40 (292), and 9.47% aged 41-50 (96). The mean age of participants was 29.6 years, ranging from 18 to 50 years. PHQ-9 diagnoses revealed alarming levels of depression, with 47.9% exhibiting a moderately severe degree of depressive disorder. Our findings highlight the intricate interplay between identity clusters- "homestayers" (those leaning towards a Chinese cultural identity), "navigators" (those with a bicultural identity), and "wayfarers" (those leaning towards a foreign cultural identity)-and the likelihood of depression. Specifically, homestayers showed a clear and strong negative association, navigators demonstrated a positive association, and wayfarers had a positive yet unclear correlation with depression levels. Furthermore, acculturation, age, and gender showed no significant effects, whereas education mildly mitigated depression. Based on these findings, we suggest the implementation of better-tailored mental health support and policies to facilitate smoother reintegration.

文化智力对中国留韩研究生导生关系感知的影响研究 – 双文化认同整合的中介作用和解释水平的调节作用 –

文化智力对中国留韩研究生导生关系感知的影响研究 – 双文化认同整合的中介作用和解释水平的调节作用 –

Checking Multiple Boxes: Themes Associated With Bicultural Identities

Multicultural individuals frequently feel they must check multiple boxes when responding to identity questions. In this investigation, we collected narratives from 402 bicultural individuals about their experiences with multicultural identities and used automated text-analytic tools to examine the valence of the narratives (sentiment analysis) and the most prevalent themes used (Meaning Extraction Method). In addition, we examined the relationships between the narratives and the two dimensions of Bicultural Identity Integration (BII) scales, Harmony and Blendedness. Findings suggested that the narratives were more emotionally positive than negative, and there were six most common themes. Furthermore, themes were significantly associated with BII scales. Our analyses provide deeper insights into the nature of bicultural identity using naturalistic language data.

Cultural concepts of distress among Albanian young adults living in Switzerland - a qualitative study.

Existing research recognizes the critical role that social, sociodemographic, and acculturative processes play in increasing vulnerability for experiencing psychological distress among second-generation migrants. However, to date, far too little attention has been given to the study of psychological distress in this social group. The main objective of this study is to examine cultural identities, as well as expressions and causes of psychological distress among second-generation Albanian-speaking migrants in Switzerland. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 Albanian-speaking participants between 19 and 35 years of age using the interview of the Barts Explanatory Model Inventory. Data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis using MAXQDA-2018 software. Study participants showed bicultural identities, which caused value conflicts and a feeling of being "caught" between Swiss and Albanian culture. Some participants experienced the fear of disappointing their parents. Others find it difficult to deal with conflicting norms and values. Parentification was another important cause within their cultural concept of distress. At the same time, (implicit) social support, i.e., spending time with the family and the community, was an important coping mechanism. Second-generation immigrants are exposed to specific risk factors for psychological distress. A better understanding of these risk factors and their coping mechanisms is essential for providing them with meaningful support services, both in prevention and psychotherapy.

Perceived expressed emotion in individuals with a first episode of psychosis from a south Asian background.

To explore perceived expressed emotion in the south Asian context for individuals with a first episode of psychosis (FEP). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 service users experiencing a FEP to understand their experience of expressed emotion (EE) from their caregivers. Interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Four main categories were identified: connection and support, understanding and awareness, boundaries and independence and context and influence. Factors influencing perceived expressed emotion such as acceptance, acculturation, warmth and expressions of love, communication and family values were identified. Findings highlight south Asian's experiences of being cared for, and their perception of EE, including warmth and connection as a strength and resource. The findings shed light on culturally specific EE within the context of FEP that can be considered when working with south Asian communities within early interventionservices. Findings highlight the impact of navigating and negotiating bicultural identities and generational differences in EE in the British south Asian context.

Beyond singular perspectives: Minority-group members’ acculturation expectations and tightness

Previous research has established that ethnic minority groups experience specific acculturation expectations from the majority group. However, this research has largely ignored minority-group members’ expectations toward their own group and its heterogeneity. Sampling 327 Haredi Israeli minority-group members, the present study had three main objectives: (1) Identify the acculturation expectations individuals hold toward their minority group; (2) identify to which extent those expectations are uniform (i.e., tight) or differ (i.e., loose) toward subgroups of their overarching group, operationalized as within-individual standard deviations; and (3) examine whether a set of psychological variables is meaningfully correlated with both acculturation expectation means and tightness. Although participants on average endorsed separation expectations, these expectations were also relatively loose (i.e., not uniformly expected from all Haredi subgroups). Whereas integration expectations were also relatively pronounced and loose, assimilation and marginalization expectations were low and tight. Perceived physical threat toward the group was associated with high assimilation expectations. Personal mortality thereat was associated with higher integration expectations, whereas past victimization was associated with lower assimilation and higher separation expectations. The belief in the eternity of the group was positively associated with separation expectations and negatively associated with marginalization, integration, and assimilation expectations. The belief in the eternity of the group was also associated with looser separation expectations and tighter assimilation expectations. Bi-cultural identity harmony was associated with higher assimilation and integration expectations, lower separation expectations, and generally more loose expectations. We discuss the implications of the findings for research and society.

Down the rabbit hole: Acculturation, integration and adaptation

The re-analysis of Nguyen and Benet-Martínez’s (2013) meta-analytic data and a new meta-analysis of longitudinal studies by Bierwiaczonek and Kunst (2021) showed that the relationship between acculturation and adaptation is weak and that the effect size for unbiased results for integration may not differ from zero. These findings pose a major challenge to acculturation theory and research where the premises that acculturation is reliably related to adaptation and that integration is the most adaptive strategy are widely accepted. In this paper I consider how we as acculturation scholars could respond to this challenge. First, I summarize the results of Bierwiaczonek and Kunst’s (2021) meta-analytic studies and the response by Grigoryev et al. (2023), noting that the findings reported in both papers are characterized by small effect sizes and large amounts of heterogeneity. I then consider what single studies can tell us about acculturation and adaptation, highlighting the influence of methodological and contextual factors on this relationship. Finally, I synthesize research on cultural identity configurations, bicultural identity integration and cultural identity styles to show how each program of research on cultural identity integration leads to different, but more nuanced, conclusions about the relationship between acculturation and adaptation. To advance acculturation theory and research I argue that we should reframe our questions from “to what extent are acculturation and integration related to adaptation?” to “how and when are acculturation and integration related to adaptation?” I also advocate putting more emphasis on acculturation processes and contexts in future research.