Ethnic Identity Development Research Articles

Этническая самоидентификация молодежи: средовые и личностные факторы трансформации

The article is devoted to the identification of an individual in a multiethnic environment, including the mechanisms of its transformation. Particular attention is paid to distortions of ethnic self-identification among representatives of the younger generation. It is shown how the external environment influences the formation and development of ethnic identity, and the dependence of the type of ethnic identity on the personal qualities of the individual is noted. A comparative analysis of the results of empirical studies of 2016 and 2023 on the ethnic identification of Omsk youth is presented. A conclusion is made about the need for targeted work with youth audiences to prevent destructive manifestations in culture: ethnofanatism, ethnonihilism, xenophobia, negative ethnic stereotypes.

Видавнича серія «Бібліотека Лемківщини» Юліана Тарновича (1936–1939)

In 1934, in the publishing concern of I. Tyktor “Ukrainian Press”, the editorial board of the biweekly “Nash Lemko” was formed, the first editor of which was Yulian Tarnovych, who later founded the “Library of Lemkivshchyna” publishing seria, which published and distributed books on Lemki subjects, in which the overarching idea was the idea of historical and mental unity of the Lemki people with Ukrainians from other regions, and hence the popularization of the Lemko region and the centuries-old cultural heritage of its inhabitants as a component of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. In the article, for the first time, all editions of the book seria “Library of Lemkivshchyna” of the magazine “Nash Lemko” 1936–1939 edited by Yu. Tarnovych were investigated, and the exact authorship of individual numbers stored in the departments of Ukrainian studies and rare books of the Vasyl Stefanyk National Scientific Library of Ukraine in Lviv and in the Scientific Library of LNU named after I. Franko, the factual content and thematic palette of the book editions of the seria were analyzed, their relevance at the time and today was proven, reviews and reviews of the book products of the seria were introduced into scientific circulation. Among the analyzed publications are books by eight authors, cultural figures of the Lemko region (Yu. Tarnovych under his own name and pseudonym Vsevolod Yaroslavych, R. Antonovych, I. Shevchyk-Lukavychenko, F. Kokovsky, V. Klish, O. Mysevych, I. Bugera, V. Hylak under a pseudonym Yeronim Anonim). The analysis of the factual content and subject matter of the book editions of the entire seria showed that, promoting the idea of Ukrainian national unity, they contributed to the formation of the Lemks’ understanding of the uni­queness of their traditional material and spiritual culture, national identity, revitalization of the social life of the region, were an important factor in the pat­riotic education of young people, introduced wide circles of the Ukrainian public of Galicia to the life and spiritual heritage of the westernmost branch of the Ukrainian people. Today, they are a valuable source not only for studying the publishing culture of the past, but also for the history of the development of Ukrainian ethnic identity in the Lemko lands.

Traditional creativity in the practice of Chol Chnam Thmay festival of Khmer people in Loc Ninh district, Binh Phuoc province, Vietnam today

Chol Chnam Thmay is one of the typical traditional festivals of Khmer people living in Loc Ninh in the Southeastern region of Vietnam as well as in the Mekong Delta in the Southwestern region of Vietnam and in some other Southeast Asian countries. Similar to Khmer people in other regions, festivals of Khmer people in Loc Ninh are also formed and integrated from three cultural lines: folk beliefs, Brahminism, and Buddhism. However, due to the peculiarities of natural conditions, and historical and social circumstances, Khmer people’s festivals in Loc Ninh have specific cultural features, which have contributed to the formation and development of the Khmer ethnic identity in Loc Ninh as well as the cultural identity of the Southeastern region of Vietnam. Based on Hobsbawm's theoretical approach to “Traditional Creativity”, combining Ethnographic/Anthropological field methods, the research results show that Chol Chnam Thmay festival of the Khmer people in Loc Ninh has had a lot of changes. The the changes of the festival is the consequence of the “Traditional Creativity” process in the restoration and practice of the Khmer community's festival. In addition to the impact of the natural environment, and historical and social circumstances, these changes are also affected by cultural exchange factors, globalization, integration, and especially, impacts from the policies on socio-economic and cultural development of the Vietnamese Communist Party and State implemented in localities in the Southeastern region of Vietnam at present.

Ethnic Identity of Urban Indigenous Adolescents in Taiwan

Amid Taiwan's industrialization and changing production methods, indigenous tribes' economies were affected, leading to the emergence of "urban indigenous people." However, subsequent generations are city-born and raised, receiving city-centric education. This makes it difficult for urban indigenous descendants to have a sense of identity with traditional tribal culture and indigenous identity. Therefore, this study hopes to understand how urban indigenous adolescents establish their ethnic identity. This study conducted semi-structured interviews with six urban indigenous adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years. The research results indicate that the ethnic identity of urban indigenous adolescents shows evident cultural disconnection, slight characteristics of "pseudo-cultural identity" and the reproduction of stereotypes about ethnic groups. In addition, this study also thoroughly analyzed the factors that facilitate and hinder the development of ethnic identity among urban indigenous adolescents, as well as how they cope with ethnic identity crises.

IS ETHNIC HERITAGE MEANINGFUL IN ADULTHOOD? ETHNIC IDENTITY AND WELL-BEING IN MEXICAN-ORIGIN FEMALE ADULTS

Abstract Being the largest immigrant group in the U.S., the process of exploring, forming, and retaining ethnic identity is a critical component to Mexican immigrants’ successful adaptation and wellbeing. Despite recognizing the dynamic nature of ethnic identity development, extant research has predominantly focused on adolescence, overlooking the development and impact of ethnic identity in adulthood, when individuals’ experiences are continuously shaped by critical life events (e.g., moving to a new country). Additionally, there is a lack of longitudinal research on mid-late adulthood. Filling these gaps, this study utilized a three-wave longitudinal dataset of 595 Mexican-origin female adults (Mage.wave1 = 38.39) to examine their initial levels and trajectories of ethnic identity development (i.e., exploration, centrality, and resolution) and understand how these individuals’ initial levels and trajectories of ethnic identity are associated with their wellbeing (i.e., life meaning, resilience, and depressive symptoms) at Wave 3. Using latent growth curve modeling, unconditional models revealed that initial levels of ethnic identity in Mexican-origin female adults were moderately high, and that their centrality and resolution of ethnic identity remained stable while their exploration of heritage identity increased over time. The conditional model also showed that Mexican-origin female adults’ higher initial levels of centrality and resolution were associated with a greater sense of life meaning (and resiliency, only true for resolution levels) but not with depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that ethnic heritage is associated with more positive perception in life and may inform interventions on developing a positive ethnic identity that is related to better wellbeing.

RACIAL TRAUMA IN EMERGING ADULTS RAISED BY GRANDPARENTS: PROTECTING AGAINST DISCRIMINATION

Abstract Experiences of racial trauma are linked with psychopathology, but a strong ethnic identity may serve as a protective factor. Grandparents primarily influence the development of ethnic identity, and BIPOC children are increasingly being raised by grandparents. Secure attachments influence stronger ethnic identities, yet custodial grandchildren are at higher risk of disrupted attachments. The current study investigated whether ethnic identity would mediate the relation between attachment and racial trauma symptoms in emerging adults previously raised by their grandparents and their peers (N = 370; 33% raised by grandparents; 25.6% non-white), with race as a moderator. Across all races, there were group differences in symptoms of racial trauma, with those not raised by grandparents experiencing a direct effect of race on ethnic identity. Attachment was a significant predictor of trauma symptoms of discrimination, moderated by race. Implications may provide support for clinical interventions addressing attachment and ethnic identity to decrease trauma symptoms.

Development of Students’ Positive Ethnic Identity and Culture of Interethnic Communication in Foreign Language Lessons

The article highlights the theoretical issues of the categories of ethnic identity, interethnic communication. The authors consider the issues of theoretical prerequisites for the study of the students’ ethnic identity in domestic and foreign science. The indicators and properties of ethnic identity are considered in detail. Particular attention is paid to the issues of mutual influence and interdependence of a student's positive ethnic identity and the culture of his interethnic communication. The authors substantiate the thesis about the role of the discipline «Foreign language» in the development of students’ ethnic identity and in improving the culture of interethnic communication. The article proposes various methods, forms and techniques of work on the development of students' ethnic identity. This research widely presents the methodological tools of teachers - foreign language teachers: problem-based learning methods, students’ research activities, work with audio, video, etc. An important role in the development of ethnic identity and interethnic communication belongs to work with small genres of oral folk art, and with translations of famous works into English. The results of the study of students’ ethnic self-identification, the change in the students’ attitude towards representatives of other ethnic groups are presented as a result of purposeful activity in this aspect. Positive self-identification of students is considered as a prerequisite and guarantee of positive interethnic communication.

Becoming and Belonging: Ethnic Identity Development of Young Children through Language Socialization

Abstract This article explores the role of language socialization in ethnic identity development among young U.S.-born Korean American children aged 4 and 5. The study design utilized an ethnographic approach to contextualize children’s overall language socialization at a community-based Korean heritage language school in California. The study examines how these children develop their ethnic identity while collectively learning Korean as a heritage language. Drawing on discourse analysis focused on social practices, the study analyzed classroom conversations between teacher and children, and between children. Findings show that learning Korean as a heritage language at a Korean heritage language school plays an important role in fostering the ethnic identity of young Korean American children. Moreover, they negotiate their ethnic identity as Korean American while using their Korean names and Korean honorifics in social interaction with others in the community. Theoretical perspectives and implications of these results are discussed.

Flourishing Privately but Languishing Publicly: Ethnic Identity's Contribution to Understanding Eudaimonic Wellbeing.

The paper probes the meaning of wellbeing by examining whether ethnic identity is related to private and public conceptualisations of eudaimonic wellbeing. Private and public eudaimonic wellbeing are assessed as positive relations with others and social integration. Ethnic identity is a type of social identity that is meaningful in contexts of enduring inter-ethnic group contact. Fiji and Trinidad and Tobago (TT), nations with contact between two major ethnic groups for over a century, are the contexts for a preliminary exploration. Young adults (Fiji N = 38, 19-26 years old; TT N = 41, 18-25 years old) completed measures of positive relations with others (private eudaimonic wellbeing), social integration (public eudaimonic wellbeing), and ethnic identity development. Across the nations, a stronger sense of ethnic identity, or commitment to the ingroup, predicted better positive relations with others but worse social integration. Ethnic identity thus seems to be a key construct in understanding positive private, but negative public eudaimonic wellbeing among young adults in contexts of ethnic diversity. Findings are discussed by considering how implications of ethnic diversity (competitive inter-group relations, inter-group contact making ethnic group membership salient) might be related to ethnic identity development, and private and public eudaimonic wellbeing.

Internal Feelings of Hijab: The Lived Experiences of Chinese Young Muslim Women in Guangzhou

Ethnic identity is considered a fundamental aspect that provides an individual with a sense of belonging and commitment to a particular ethnic group. Wearing Hijab, for example, is a major consensus and obligation for Muslim women. This article focuses on the status of the hijab among young Muslim women in Guangzhou, China. Living in one of the world's socialist states, they are struggling with their identity and faith as a minority. This paper study of how they negotiate their ethnic identities within and outside their families. The study draws data gathered from semi-structured interviews with nine young Muslim women. The findings suggest (1) Ethnic identity is a dynamic process. (2) Social and cultural contexts have great effects on an individual’s ethnic identity development. (3) Ethnic identity is multidimensional: family, friends, gender, and religion play vital roles in the process of achieving a positive ethnic identity. Prior to this, Muslim women find Hijab as one of the major barriers to living in mainstream society. They choose to wear Hijab or not, based on the above reasons. They may find out more possible ways of educating their members to consider religion as a potential source of empowerment and strength in their identity.

"No, but where are you really from?" Experiences of perceived discrimination and identity development among Asian Indian adolescents.

Asian Indians were the first South Asians to immigrate to the United States in the late 1800s and are currently the largest ethnic group of South Asians living in the United States. Despite this the literature on perceived ethnic and racial discrimination experiences among this group is relatively understudied. The documented experiences of Asian Indians who either recently immigrated from India or were born and raised in America pose an important question: what are the experiences of perceived discrimination among Asian Indians living in America, particularly among younger populations who are continuing to develop their racial and ethnic identities? The current study utilized phenomenological methodology to explore the experiences of nine Asian Indian American adolescents' (ages 12-17 years). Data were collected via semi-structured interviews to assess participants' experiences of ethnic and racial discrimination and identity development. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes among the participants' responses. Asian Indian adolescents living in the United States report experiencing discrimination at a young age. It is also evident that Asian Indian youth experience significant challenges when developing their sense of ethnic and racial identity while living within the United States. Findings document the racial and ethnic discrimination that Asian Indian adolescents living in the United States may experience from a young age. Importantly, these discrimination experiences are occurring as Asian Indian adolescents are developing their racial and ethnic identities. This study provides insight for future research, which is necessary to fully understand the experiences of Asian Indian adolescents.

NAVIGATING WHITE SPACES: RACIAL SOCIALIZATION, ETHNIC IDENTITY, AND THE EMERGENT COPING PROFILES OF BLACK WOMEN ATTENDING A PREDOMINATELY WHITE INSTITUTION

ABSTRACT Although research has shown that Black college students in emerging adulthood often encounter challenges adjusting to predominantly white institutions (Chavous, 2005; Guiffrida & Douthit, 2010), there is still much to be learned about the transitional experiences of Black women. Using phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory(PVEST), this study explored the influence of racial socialization and ethnic identity on the coping profiles of Black college women (n = 288) who attended a predominantly white institution (PWI). Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified three coping profiles characterized by support-seeking behaviors within social networks: avoidant, intragroup, and intergroup. There were also significant associations between racial socialization, ethnic identity development, and the coping profiles engaged. Black women with higher scores in cultural pride and ethnic identity searching were more likely to be in the intragroup profile. The findings suggested that on-campus support for Black women is needed as they navigate the challenges associated with race and gender. The implications for higher education were discussed.

Historical memory as one of the major factors in the process of ethnic identity development (the case of deported Meskhetians living in the Region of Samtskhe -Javakheti)

Historical memory as one of the major factors in the process of ethnic identity development (the case of deported Meskhetians living in the Region of Samtskhe -Javakheti)

Associations Between Ethnic Identity Commitment, Discrimination, and Sexism With Sexual Risk Among Latina College Students.

According to intersectionality theory, oppression predisposes individuals from disadvantaged groups to experience disparities in health. Such disparities are evident in the sexual health among college-aged Latina women living in the U.S., who tend to report significantly higher rates of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies than their White peers. Guided by intersectionality theory, the present study examined sexual risk behaviors (i.e., inconsistent condom use, number of sexual partners) in relation to ethnic identity development and reported experiences of discrimination and sexism among 450 Latina college students (ages 18-26 years old). Notably, results indicated that Latinas who reported relatively lower levels of ethnic identity commitment had, on average, approximately five more sexual partners when they had reported greater lifetime experiences of sexism. Findings highlight how sexist experiences contributed to an increased number of partners among Latinas reporting relatively lower levels of ethnic identity commitment, demonstrating that strong ethnic identity commitment was protective against risk in accordance with past research. Results indicate a continued need for sexual health interventions with Latina college students.

Latinx sexual minority youth's identity development and experiences with preparation for bias

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined how preparation for ethnic and sexual orientation bias uniquely and collectively contributes to ethnic identity and sexual orientation identity development among Latinx sexual minority youth (SMY).BackgroundTheories indicate that parental socialization strategies are associated with youth's development, yet no studies have examined how multiple forms of socialization are uniquely and collectively associated with youth's identity development.MethodHypotheses were tested using self‐reported data from 385 Latinx SMY (M = 20.26, SD = 2.6).ResultsPreparation for ethnic bias was negatively associated with ethnic identity affirmation but positively associated with ethnic identity exploration and resolution. Preparation for sexual orientation bias was negatively associated with ethnic identity exploration, resolution, and affirmation, as well as sexual orientation identity resolution and affirmation, but not exploration. Several interactions emerged between preparation for ethnic bias and sexual orientation bias predicting ethnic and sexual orientation identity.ConclusionFindings suggest that preparation for bias related to ethnicity and sexual orientation are interconnected, rather than independently shaping ethnic and sexual orientation identities development among SMY.ImplicationsAdditional studies are needed to understand the impacts of family socialization related to ethnicity and sexuality to optimize identity development among Latinx SMY.

ВКЛАД ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫХ ПРОГРАММ РЕСПУБЛИКИ КАЗАХСТАН «МӘДЕНИ МҰРА» («КУЛЬТУРНОЕ НАСЛЕДИЕ»), «ХАЛЫҚ ТАРИХ ТОЛҚЫНЫНДА» («НАРОД В ПОТОКЕ ИСТОРИИ»), «РУХАНИ ЖАНҒЫРУ» «АРХИВ –2025» В ИЗУЧЕНИЕ ИСТОРИИ И КУЛЬТУРЫ КАЗАХСКОЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОСТИ

The specifics of the problems of Kazakh Oriental studies are connected with the historical and perspective role of the country, which occupies a key position in the system of interrelations of civilizations of the East and West. The geopolitical situation of Kazakhstan, the multinational composition of the population, the state of development of ethnic identity and national idea pose the problem of a deep, versatile, free from speculative, abstract and simplified approaches to studying the history and dynamics of the development of statehood and problems in the context of the history of the countries and peoples of Eurasia. Over the past thirty years, the historical science in the post-Soviet space has been actively working on an objective revision of many issues, in particular, related to the problems of statehood, identity, preservation of cultural identity, historical cultural heritage. Historical science has acquired a new qualitative characteristic, defined in the form of new approaches to scientific problems, free creative search, as well as increased interest in the problems of ethnogenesis, statehood, nomadic studies, religious studies, international relations and common historical heritage.

Strong Ethnic Identity Buffers the Association of Heterosexism with Substance Use Among Black Sexual Minority Men.

Heterosexist stigma, including microaggressions experienced in their own racial/ethnic communities, may partially explain disproportionate levels of substance use involvement among Black sexual minority men (BSMM). A strong sense of ethnic identity may provide BSMM with a protective resource. The purpose of this study was to explore associations between ethnic identity and substance use in BSMM. Data were from Black sexual minority men (n = 390Mage = 25.28; SD = 2.81) in the PrEP and Substance Use National Survey collected from March 2020 to August 2020 that included self-reported cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamines, inhalants, hallucinogens, prescription drugs misuse, and overall substance use involvement. Using zero-inflated negative binomial regression, we assessed the association between heterosexist microaggressions within BSMM's racial/ethnic communities and substance use involvement, moderated by subjective sense of ethnic identity. More than half of participants reported past 3-month substance use. Heterosexist microaggressions were associated with higher relative risk of cannabis use involvement (RR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.13-2.73) and overall substance use involvement (RR = 2.23; 95% CI 1.39-3.56). Stronger ethnic identity buffered the association of heterosexism on substance use involvement (cannabis: RR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.72-0.95; overall: RR = 0.77; 95% CI 0.66-0.89). Nurturing ethnic identity development and reducing heterosexist stigma in Black communities may be a culturally responsive, two-pronged approach to reducing substance use involvement among BSMM. BSMM with strong ethnic identity demonstrated resilience to heterosexist stigma. Future research should examine the extent to which ethnic identity may be cultivated as a protective resource against substance use involvement.

‘Seeing’ our tamariki in longitudinal studies: exploring the complexity of ethnic identification trajectories within Growing Up in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Longitudinal research provides unique opportunities for ethnic identification research and for understanding ethnic identity development. However, ethnic identification is subjective, fluid, multi-dimensional, and context-specific. This study draws on Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal data to explore: how children identify their ethnicity/culture; and how these descriptions compare with ethnic identification patterns described by their parent. At eight years of age children described their ethnicity/culture as Pākehā/New Zealand European (52%); Māori (22%); Samoan (8%); Tongan (5%); Cook Islands (4%); Chinese (4%); Indian (5%); Niuean (2%); Australian (4%); and 14% said they don’t think about their ethnicity. Across time, approximately 60% of the cohort have always been identified as or identified themselves as European, Māori and Asian respectively and 72% had always been identified as (or identified themselves) as Pacific. These findings show that emerging ethnic identification is complex, and differs according to who is responding and when, as well as according to ethnic identification itself. Measuring and interpreting ethnicity is an important opportunity for longitudinal studies. However, given the fluidity and contingency of this data, researchers face ongoing challenges in: maintaining kaitiakitanga (stewardship); providing robust evidence to guide policies that enhance wellbeing equity; and upholding Treaty of Waitangi obligations.

“The Most Exotic was the Owner of the Pizzeria” - Exploring the Relationship between Subjective Diversity and Ethnic Identity

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to examine how Swedish youth a) experience diversity and b) link those diversity experiences to their identities. Using a mixed-method approach, we coded written narratives for type of diversity experience, meaning-making, and analyzed qualitative differences due to the proximity of the setting and self-defined in- and outgroups. Out of 197 participants (age 15–29), 63 (31.5%) wrote about diversity in their narratives, and of those, 55 (87%) derived meaning about themselves or others. Qualitative differences were found between participants who self-identified with a majority, minority, or mixed ethnic identities. Youth who identified with a majority identity generally experienced being in the majority in the macro-setting while a lack of diversity in their micro-settings, and mainly derived meanings related to the ethnic identities of others. Youth who identified with minority or mixed ethnic identities, experienced being the minority in both micro- and macro-settings, and mainly derived meanings related to their own ethnic identity, such as enhanced identities or issues of belongingness. Results suggest that experiences of diversity trigger ethnic identity development, however, in a segregated society with unequal opportunities and power relations, those experiences and how they inform ethnic identity significantly vary significantly due to background.

Ethnic identity, stress, and personal recovery outcomes among young adults with serious mental health conditions.

Serious mental illnesses (SMI) often occur during early adulthood, just as young people are developing important aspects of their identity that can affect their recovery. Positive ethnic identity development is associated with stress coping and psychological well-being in young people. But, there is limited research to indicate how individual experiences of belonging and attachment to one's ethnic group influence personal recovery processes among young adults living with SMI. Young adults living with SMI (95% identified as ethnic/racial minorities) were recruited from four outpatient psychiatric rehabilitation programs (N = 83). Multivariate regressions were used to examine relationships between predictors (demographics, psychiatric symptomatology, ethnic identity) and the dependent variables (perceived stress and personal recovery). A stronger, more developed ethnic identity and fewer depressive symptoms were associated with higher ratings of personal recovery. Increases in psychiatric symptoms predicted increased perceived stress. Post hoc analyses showed that Black, Latino/a, and multiracial study participants' ethnic identity ratings were similar to those of same ethnic/racial group of young adults without SMI. Ethnic identity development could be a significant psychosocial factor shaping mental health recovery among minority young people living with SMI. Several factors associated with psychological well-being among ethnic and racial minority youth may account for this, including adaptive coping, social support, and a buffering effect against racism. Our findings indicate that assessing and developing a young person's ethnic identity-related strengths and resources as a means for improving the personalization of recovery services and enhancing the quality of care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).