Ethnic Identity Research Articles

Addressing epistemic violence and methodological nationalism through a meta-analytical review on intergroup contact and conflict studies in Turkey

This paper provides an examination of intergroup contact research in the context of the Turkish-Kurdish ‘conflict’ through a meta-analytical scoping review. By doing so, we discuss how dominant biases in the literature such as methodological nationalism and epistemic violence influence research practices and knowledge-production systems in conflict and contact studies conducted under colonial rule. Through a thematic investigation, we found four variables that were commonly tested in intergroup contact studies: i) attitudes towards outgroup, ii) support for minority rights or multiculturalism, iii) perception of discrimination against the minority group, and iv) ethnic identity. We conducted four meta-analyses using a pool of 28 studies conducted in Turkey to unpack the associations of intergroup contact with: i) outgroup attitudes (r = .42; n = 5,624), ii) support for minority rights and multiculturalism (r = -.06ns; n = 1,567), iii) perception of discrimination against Kurds (r = .22; n = 2,431), and iv) ethnic identity (r = -.13; n = 4,636). The results demonstrated a moderate to strong relationship between intergroup contact and positive outgroup attitudes, while the findings were less robust for support for minority rights, perception of discrimination against Kurds, and ethnic identity. Furthermore, the group status and sample characteristics of the studies moderate the relationships between variables. Based on the findings and a critical analysis of the current literature, we discuss the limitations of the existing research and critical points for future studies.

"Where are you really from?": a qualitative study of Asian American medical provider experiences.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how racially minoritized patients and clinicians have suffered racial discrimination. It also made visible the ways in which Asians across the globe experience racial hate and illuminated that the experiences of Asians in medicine are not often spotlighted. In the United States specifically, Asian Americans are not viewed as minoritized in medicine, yet their professional experiences are rarely highlighted. Informed by the discourses of the model minority, the forever foreigner, and ethnic lumping, we used Asian critical theory to explore how Asian American medical providers in Utah understand racial and ethnic identity and how these identities and experiences of racialization inform their professional identities. Using a case study approach, we identified and interviewed 23 physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners (during spring 2022) who live in and practice medicine in Utah. Transcribed interviews were coded using reflective thematic analysis. Findings were organized into three themes: (1) feeling different, (2) experiences with discrimination, and (3) wrestling with the model minority myth. While Asian American medical providers experience not belonging, they also have the agency to disrupt discrimination and stereotypes. Asian American medical providers' racial and ethnic identities influence their professional interactions. Understanding the intersections of their social and professional identities are important to providing support for Asian medical providers, within the United States and beyond.

The Trình Tường house of the Bố Y People in Vietnam: A Study on Cultural Heritage and Traditional Architecture

The Trình Tường house (similer Earthen-Walled house), a distinctive architectural form of the Bố Y people in Vietnam, has embodied both cultural and spiritual values, reflecting their ethnic identity. However, modernization, climate change, and the development of tourism have placed immense pressure on the preservation of this traditional architecture. This paper aims to analyze the cultural and architectural values of the Trình Tường house in the modern context while proposing solutions for its preservation and promotion as a cultural heritage. The research was based on qualitative methods, including field observation, semi-structured interviews with Bố Y community members, and comparative analysis of traditional architecture from other ethnic minorities in Southeast Asia and worldwide. The findings revealed that the Trình Tường house was not only a physical structure but also a cultural and spiritual symbol, connecting people with nature and belief systems. However, pressures from modernization and climate change have compromised the sustainability of this architecture. The study contributes to cultural ecology theory and offers specific policy recommendations for preserving the Trình Tường house, ensuring the Bố Y people’s cultural identity, and paves the way for future research on traditional architectural conservation in the current context.

Racial and Ethnic Identity of Transnational Adoptees: A Model Reflecting the Lived Experience of Adult Colombian Adoptees

International and transracial adoptions have been practiced by multiple developed countries since World War II, where transracial adoptees are removed from their country of origin and raised by parents of a completely different cultural and racial background. In the United States, adoption was institutionalized after the Korean War, making adoption across races a common practice. This demographic change brings different developmental challenges to the transracial adoptee, including the task of racial and ethnic identity. In this dissertation study, the authors dived into the narratives of six Colombian transracial adoptees raised in the United States by White parents to understand their stories regarding their racial and ethnic identity process. The authors’ findings include the development of a racial and ethnic identity model that emerged from the participants’ themes and common lived experiences, including five nonlinear stages: questioning and curiosity; action-seeking behaviors; judgment and expectations; reculturation and reclaiming; and wanting to embrace both identities. Adult Colombian adoptees highlighted the fluidity of their racial and ethnic identity process and the importance of reclaiming and reconnecting with their Colombian part of self as part of this process. The ethnic and racial identity model informs mental health professionals’ clinical and professional practice by offering a guide to comprehending the process and some of the common experiences around ethnic and racial identity among transracial adoptees.

To Conceal or to Reveal? Antecedents of Ethnic Minority Family Businesses’ Use of Ethnic Branding

The family business branding literature identifies numerous benefits to communicating family ownership. However, existing studies have omitted ethnic minority family businesses (EMFB), which present unique identity and cultural considerations. We examine potential antecedents to EMFB use of ethnic branding, which features their ethnicity within marketing communications. The study establishes a significant positive relationship between EMFB owners’ ethnic identification and socioemotional wealth (SEW), and between EMFB owners’ SEW and ethnic branding usage. Product ethnicity moderates the latter relationship such that a match between product ethnicity and EMFB ethnicity increases the likelihood of ethnic branding. Managerial and theoretical implications are further discussed.

Nevedben a sorsod – globalizációs trend és helyi identitás tükröződése az Abaúji kistérség általános iskolásainak keresztneveiben

The purpose of the study is twofold: on the one hand, it examines the expression of trends in globalisation and local identity in the Christian names of grade 5–8 pupils at three research points in the Abaúj micro-region: Baktakék, Forró and Krasznokvajda. On the other hand, it presents a special Hungarian lesson organised in the primary schools of the settlements entitled Your destiny is in your name, in order to support education based on local values, to promote knowledge on onomastics, and to raise awareness of names as tools expressing ethnic and religious identity. The first part of the study explains the choice of the title Your destiny is in your name, while the second part summarises the objectives of the Creative Region Projects, which provide the framework for the lessons; it then presents the ethnic and religious diversity of the selected settlements. According to census data, these settlements have a dual identity rate of 37–39%, making the support of local identity through education a key objective. The third part analyses the Christian names of 121 pupils, followed by the fourth part, which presents the special lessons. Finally, the study concludes that the pupils’ Christian names mainly reflect globalisation trends instead of viewing their names as a way of expressing local identity. National and international celebrities have a strong influence on the choice of names, especially in this region, where rare, special names offer uniqueness against the uncertainty of social prominence. The lessons also pointed out that pupils generally associate the origin of a name with the background of its ‘iconic’ name-bearer which further directs the name stock in the direction of choosing international names, as these name-bearers represent high prestige. Among the names of foreign origin conveyed by the media, there are also names preferred by the community’s religious affiliation (e.g., Anastasia, Helena), but the modern name-bearers do not see them as expressions of religious identity. The use of Hungarian names is not only an expression of the sense of Hungarian identity either, since some of these names are hereditary in the families, while others are also common or popular names. The development of religious identity is hindered by the fact that the churches of the small settlements lack permanent service, and the schools in the study are maintained by the school district authorities, thus the names conveyed by the liturgy are becoming increasingly distant from the pupils. The experience from the special lessons indicates that pupils were unable to identify names preferred by religious affiliation. Due to their openness to unique names or a commitment to tradition, the pupils would be willing to reintroduce names that express local identity especially if those names belonged to historically significant figures with high prestige.

Effects of Qualitative Interview Participation on Muslim American Identity Integration: A Mixed-Method Investigation

ABSTRACT Participation in research studies about one’s identity has been found to act as a form of counseling intervention. This mixed-method convergent parallel design study sought to examine whether participating in a 45-minute one-on-one semi-structured interview on Muslim American identity integration affected participants’ views of their identity one year later. Participants included 29 ethnically diverse second-generation Muslim Americans residing in the U.S. Midwest who were retained at one-year follow-up from a semi-structured identity interview of 53 participants. Participants completed a survey with measures of identity, identity integration, and open-ended questions inquiring how the study influenced them. Descriptive quantitative analyses and thematic analysis of qualitative data were used to examine the participants’ perceptions of the interview. Qualitative responses displayed five themes (Self-Understanding and Reflection, Affirmation, Connecting With In-Group, “Normal” Conversation Topic, and No Change) aligning with the three primary domains incorporated in ethnic identity development. The blendedness of the participants’ Muslim and American identities, American centrality, and participants’ self-reported positive private regard toward their American identity were lower at Time 2 compared to Time 1. More research is needed regarding the influence of participating in identity-based mixed-methods studies on Muslim American identity formation.

Black identity and internal health attributions of second generation black immigrant women

ABSTRACT Objective Despite second generation Black immigrants being a rapidly growing population, they are often overlooked in health attribution research that treats Black populations as a monolithic group. Very few studies focus on how discrimination, societal pressure, and racial identity play a role in the health attributions of Black immigrant women. Even fewer studies have examined this relationship solely with second generation Black immigrant women. Research has shown, however, that increased racial and ethnic identity but decreased experiences with racism are related to higher internal health attributions in Black populations. Thus, we addressed this dearth in research in the current study by examining the relationship between racial centrality, racism stress, and internal health attributions in a sample of 123 second generation Black immigrant women. Design Health attributions were assessed using the Illness Attribution Scale, racism stress using the Schedule of Racist Events, and racial centrality using the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses that lower levels of racism stress, but higher ratings of racial centrality would relate to higher scores of internal health attributions. Results A positive relationship was found between racial centrality and internal health attributions but not racism stress. Conclusion The results indicated that stronger affirmations with Black identity are associated with a greater importance of the causes of illness to be within one’s perceived control for second generation Black immigrant women, which highlights the importance of examining wthin-group differences via collective identity measures to better explain health attribution behavioirs.

Legacy of the Ancestors: Revitalization of the ‘Scythian Animal Style’ in Altaian Arts and Crafts

This study examines the so-called ‘Scythian animal style’, which has experienced a revival, particularly in contemporary Altaian arts and crafts, where it serves as a symbolic expression of ethnic identity and the Altaians' identification with the ancient Pazyryk culture of the Iron Age. The animal motifs from the Pazyryk culture, originating in the Altai region, are widely incorporated by Altaian artisans today and are used to represent and promote Altaian culture. The paper focuses on the role of this art style in Altaian crafts, exploring its interpretation and the reasons for its use from the Altaians' perspective. Alongside professional literature, the study draws primarily on data gathered during the author's field research conducted in 2018 and 2019 in the Altai Republic, Russian Federation. The theoretical framework of the study is grounded in ethnosymbolism.

The Arab Ethnic Identity Politics in Indonesia: A Female Representation in Fatat Qarut and Fatimah

The Arab Ethnic Identity Politics in Indonesia: A Female Representation in Fatat Qarut and Fatimah

The Impact of Transactional Politics on Papuan Ethnic Identity Politics in the Dynamics of the 2024 General Election in Manokwari Regency

The objective of this study is to investigate the perspectives of the Papuan ethnic group regarding the dynamics of identity politics in general elections, which frequently encompass aspirations related to identity politics. The term "Papuan ethnicity" refers to an identity within Papuan nationalism, symbolizing the mobilization and unification of Papuans. In the context of elections, the notion of Papuan ethnicity becomes a significant issue for electoral candidates, particularly for those who lack support from their fellow Papuans. Utilizing qualitative research methods and ethnographic approaches, this study explores the impact of transactional politics on the ethnic perspectives and political participation of Papuans during elections. It examines various factors, including the influence of political funding on voter preferences, the mobilization of ethnic groups for political backing, and the dynamics of inter-ethnic interactions within political disputes. The findings of this research aim to provide an in-depth understanding of the patterns of political aspirations in Papua and their implications for the consolidation of democracy in Indonesia.Keywords: identity politics, political aspirations, Papuan ethnicity, general elections

Ethnic identity construction of Zapotec children and their relationship with sacred geography

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar la manera en que los niños zapotecas construyen sus identidades étnicas a partir de la educación tradicional y su relación con el territorio natural perteneciente a la geografía sagrada. La metodología utilizada es cualitativa con una perspectiva etnográfica. La observación participante se llevó a cabo en la Escuela Indígena Bilingüe “Emiliano Zapata” de la comunidad de San Baltazar Guelavila en el Estado de Oaxaca (México). Los ejes de discusión son en relación con la manera en que las identidades indígenas se crean y transforman en la infancia, de acuerdo con la educación que reciben. El principal hallazgo fue que el elemento identitario relacionado con el territorio es el más arraigado en los infantes y que, a pesar de las transformaciones propias de su identidad étnica, logra permanecer en el tiempo. Los otros elementos identitarios identificados fueron: autoadscripción, lengua, ser indígena, vestimenta, alimentación, religión, creencias y festividades. Concluimos que la identidad étnica de los niños aún se encuentra en formación, por lo que aún no son capaces de dimensionar la cuestión de lo sagrado en relación con su territorio.

Bilingual and Binational Identity of Arabic-Speaking Immigrants: Language Contact and Mobility Perspectives

Growing applied linguistics research has discussed the upsurge of the usage of Arabic language among Arabic speakers in the United States (Bale, 2010; Sehlaoui, 2008); language contact and conflict among Arab Americans (AAs; Rouchdy, 2002); and how mobility—both virtual and physical—influences their identities (Duff, 2015). This study researches how AAs define their affiliation to the Arabic language in the United States to understand their attitudes on language variety and ethnic diversity, religion and identity, and stereotypes of Arabs. After analyzing interviews, all three AA participants self-selected their identity based on linguistic and physical contexts. Thus, the findings suggest further research on AAs should consider cyberidentity as a factor for bilingual speakers and compare it with Arabic speakers in their home country.

Validity of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure for Māori, Pacific, Asian & European adolescents

Abstract Background Ethnic identity is important for positive health and wellbeing outcomes, especially for Indigenous youth and adolescents from minoritised ethnic groups. The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) is widely used to examine ethnic identity as a general phenomenon across ethnic groups. However, evidence regarding its validity for adolescents from different ethnic backgrounds is mainly limited to the US context. This study investigated psychometric properties of the MEIM, for the first time, within a large ethnically diverse population-based sample in New Zealand. Methods We used data from the Growing Up in New Zealand study. Participants were 4500 12-year-olds and included 22.4% Māori (the Indigenous people of New Zealand), 16.7% Pacific, 14.8% Asian and 51.9% European young people. 45.7% were cisgender boy, 37.4% were cisgender girl, and 16.4% were non-binary, trans or unsure. We conducted factor analysis for the 12-item MEIM. Results Confirmatory factor analysis model fit tended to be best for a solution with two factors representing two ethnic identity subcomponents of Exploration and Affirmation/Belonging. A single ‘ethnic identity’ factor showed a slightly weaker model fit. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 2-factor structure with a slightly different item composition as compared to the original MEIM subscales. The findings were largely comparable across ethnic groups. Conclusions The MEIM appears to be a valid measure for Māori, Pacific, Asian and European young people. However, nuances may exist due to unique contexts including structural factors, societal norms and challenges, opportunities and access to cultural engagement. Ethnic identity is strongly linked to health and wellbeing including quality of life, self-esteem and life satisfaction. Therefore, we recommend acknowledging nuances of ethnic identity during an important time of development within diverse cultural contexts, by applying subscales and subgroup analyses where possible. Key messages • The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure is valid and appropriate to use at age 12-years among diverse ethnic groups including Māori, Pacific, Asian and European. • Nuances of ethnic identity should be acknowledged as an important factor for health and wellbeing, especially during critical times of transition for adolescents within diverse cultural contexts.

I Kings 12:1-24 and The Challenge of Religion and Ethnicity in Nigeria

This paper examines the account of segregation in 1 Kings 12:1-24, where the Kingdom of Israel divides into two distinct entities due to political, religious, and ethnic tensions. By analysing this biblical narrative, the study highlights the destructive consequences of division based on cultural and religious differences. The paper draws parallels to the contemporary context of Nigeria, a nation marked by diverse ethnic and religious identities. It argues that the story serves as a cautionary tale for Nigeria, emphasizing the dangers of allowing cultural and religious differences to foster division and conflict. This is a qualitative study using the narrative method. Data was obtained from secondary sources and analysed using the content analysis method of analyzing qualitative secondary data. The impacts of the culture of religion and ethnicity reveal that it affects electoral politics, governance and representation, conflict and instability, social cohesion, education and socialisation, and economic inequality. Emerged themes include a) leadership and consultation, b) economic disparities and grievances, c) responses to grievances, d) secessionist movements, and e) the role of mediation and reconciliation. Nigerian leaders might draw a cue from Rehoboam's failures by encouraging communication, attending to the economic requirements of all areas, and using mediators to help settle disputes amicably.

Reconfiguring the Tribe: Changing Ethnic Affiliations in India’s Northeast

This essay sees the form and functioning of the Zeliangrong Naga community as a work in progress. Rather than a perennial, historically immutable and delimited entity, the (relatively recent) formation of the Zeliangrong community indicates that tribes can be formed afresh and that tribal identities are constantly in flux. I begin by tracing and placing the origins of the Zeliangrong Naga as told by Zeliangrong elders and circulating origin and migration stories. Then, continuing my focus on ethnic alignment and realignment, I studied the Zeliangrong movement that emerged in the 1920s. At first, they advocated a Naga Raj through the ousting of the colonial government. Over time, however, this rebellion changed direction and reduced its ambitions to the creation of a Zeliangrong homeland that would unite the Zeliangrong people who currently inhabit three different states of Northeast India, namely Manipur, Nagaland and Assam. Drawing both on historical analysis and fresh ethnography this essay shows how over time the Zeliangrong ethnic identity has come under strain and is increasingly internally contested with its constituent parts now expressing divergent political aspirations while also struggling over status, standing and dominance within.

Evolving National Identity in Korea (2012–2021) and Implications for Social Sustainability

National identity in Korea has undergone significant changes in recent years, reflecting broader shifts in social and political landscapes. Traditionally rooted in ethnocultural and ethnic frameworks, the concept of national identity is increasingly influenced by civic and pluralistic values, reflecting Korea’s growing diversity and globalization. This study aims to explore the transformation of national identity in Korea between 2012 and 2021 and its implications for social sustainability, with particular attention paid to Sustainable Development Goal 16. Using latent class analysis, this research examines survey data collected from Korean adults over the specified period. The analysis reveals a decline in ethnocultural and ethnic identities, with a corresponding rise in civic-oriented and flexible identity groups, such as Non-Territorial Ethnocultural Civic, Pluralistic, and Territorial-Cultural groups. These new categories illustrate a more complex understanding of national belonging, shaped by multiple dimensions. The results suggest that this evolving identity landscape promotes greater inclusivity and adaptability, crucial for fostering long-term social cohesion in a diverse society. The study highlights the need for policies, educational reforms, and media narratives that embrace this dynamic understanding of national identity. The findings offer important insights for policymakers and educators as Korea continues to navigate the challenges of diversity and globalization, ensuring a sustainable social future.

Contentious politics in the borderlands: How nonviolence and migrant characteristics affect public attitudes

New political issues and opportunities lead new actors into contentious politics. This article studies one such case: transnational migrants making claims and engaging in collective action when traversing state borders. As global migration flows and accompanying political backlash has grown since the mid-2010s, borders have increasingly become sites of contention between groups of migrants seeking entry and state agents attempting to refuse it. Media coverage and elite discourse also has focused on contentious border crossings, with implications for public attitudes toward migration. In this setting, public attitudes toward migrants should vary based on the migrants’ tactics and characteristics. We expect migrants engaging in nonviolent resistance to security forces will win more public support than those engaging in violence. Migrant characteristics – claims or motives for migration and ethnic identity – should also affect support. Survey experiments in the United States and Mexico containing fictionalized vignettes of a contentious event at the countries’ shared land border show strikingly similar results: migrant nonviolent resistance, compared to violent confrontations, reduces support for deportation and increases beliefs that migrants contribute to society. These effects are consistent across party lines and border proximity. Neither migrants’ claims nor migrants’ ethnic identity affect public support in the context of a contentious event.

Greek Cypriot and immigrant students’ attitudes and perceptions of acculturation, ethnic identity and self-esteem in the Republic of Cyprus

Abstract The multicultural Cypriot society is called upon to face its increasing diversity and manage the relations between its inhabitants (locals and immigrants) for peaceful coexistence. The present study compared acculturation processes of Ιmmigrant students to those of local primary school students aged 11–12 years regarding social adjustment, ethnic identity and self-esteem. Results showed a stronger orientation toward their Country of Origin for both Cypriot and Ιmmigrant students regardless of the nationality of immigrants’. Furthermore, Cypriots and Ιmmigrant students had more group contact with their compatriots than children from other countries. Lastly, the strategies of acculturation and the stages of forming ethnic identity were correlated to Ιmmigrants’ self-esteem levels. The findings highlight the need for new directions in educational policies in the country. The educational system must become flexible and effectively adaptable to the recent changes to form the foundation of cultural coexistence of all the island’s inhabitants, ensuring social cohesion.

Ethnic discrimination, cultural identification, and well-being among undocumented Hispanic immigrants in the United States: A test of the rejection-identification model.

This study aimed to examine the rejection-identification model (RIM) within a community sample of undocumented Hispanic immigrants in the United States, a unique and vulnerable population who face distinct legal and sociopolitical challenges. The RIM posits that ethnic discrimination is associated with increased identification with one's ethnic group, which, in turn, is positively associated with well-being. Data were collected from a community sample of 140 undocumented Hispanic immigrants living in the South-Central United States during the height of the 2015 Trump presidential campaign. Path analysis was employed to examine direct and indirect effects of perceived ethnic discrimination vis-à-vis ethnic identity, U.S. identity, and two forms of well-being (life satisfaction and flourishing). Age (M = 34.83), gender (50% men), and time spent in the United States were included as covariates. Higher ethnic discrimination was associated with lower U.S. and ethnic identity. Both ethnic and U.S. identity were positively associated with flourishing, whereas only U.S. identity was positively associated with life satisfaction. We also found a significant indirect effect of ethnic identity in the relationship between ethnic discrimination and flourishing. Findings are inconsistent with the RIM, as ethnic discrimination was negatively rather than positively associated with ethnic group identification. Undocumented Hispanic immigrants are a vulnerable population who may experience dual disidentification from both U.S. and ethnic cultural streams when perceiving ethnic discrimination during adverse sociopolitical periods. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).