Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised Research Articles

The Bidimensional Identity Measure (BIM): A new scale to measure multigroup ethnic and American identity in the USA

The growth of the US multicultural, multiracial and multi-ethnic population is changing the demographic landscape in historic proportions. This study argues that the construct of identity has not kept up with the changing demography, and a new conceptualisation and measurement are needed. The study proposes that multigroup identity must be measured bidimensionally to account for the increasing diversity of the US population. In this study, the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure — Revised (MEIM-R) and American Identity Measure (AIM) scales are adapted to create the Bidimensional Identity Measure (BIM), measuring dual identity across a nationally representative sample (n = 1,250) of US Hispanic, African American, Asian American and (non-Hispanic) white consumers. Based on confirmatory factor analysis, the new scale has face validity and high reliability for the proposed 18-item bidimensional identity scale (BIM), comprised of two subscales, AIM (12 items) and MEIM-R (six items). The new form of conceptualisation and measurement of multigroup ethnic and American identity will help leading corporations better understand the multidimensionality of the multicultural consumer, and be more effective in developing targeted marketing strategies in a highly diverse 21st-century America.

The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure – Revised (MEIM-R): Psychometric evaluation with adolescents from diverse ethnocultural groups in Italy

The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure – Revised (MEIM-R) is an extensively used questionnaire assessing ethnic identity. However, studies on its measurement characteristics in the European context are lacking. The current study addressed this gap by investigating the MEIM-R psychometric proprieties across multiple ethnocultural groups in Italy. Participants were 1445 adolescents (13–18 years) of Italian, East European, and North African origin. Results showed that the MEIM-R has good internal consistency. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses revealed configural and metric invariance, i.e., an equal, correlated two-factor structure (ethnic identity exploration and commitment) and equal factor loadings across groups. Scalar invariance, i.e., equal item intercepts, was found only for the commitment scores that showed no group differences in latent factor mean levels. Partial structural invariance was evidenced, with the factor covariances varying across groups. These findings suggest that the MEIM-R is a valuable tool to assess the correlates of ethnic identity, although further research is needed.

A Cross-cultural Evaluation of Ethnic Identity Exploration and Commitment.

We evaluated the unique contribution of the two subscales of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure–Revised (MEIM-R), Exploration and Commitment, to mental and behavioral health outcomes among non-Hispanic White, ethnic minority, and mixed-race college students. Monoracial ethnic minority and mixed-race students reported higher Exploration scores in comparison to monoracial non-Hispanic White students. Monoracial ethnic minority students reported higher Commitment scores in comparison to monoracial non-Hispanic White and mixed-race students. Among the total sample, higher Exploration scores were associated with greater anxiety symptoms, suggesting that ethnic identity exploration may result in heightened levels of distress.

Ethnic Speech and Ethnic Action as Ethnic Behavior: Part 2. Validation of the Brunel Ethnic Behavior Inventory

ABSTRACTThis study sought to validate the Brunel Ethnic Behavior Inventory (BEBI) as a measure of two aspects of “doing” (i.e., ethnic speech and ethnic action) among the “ways of ethnicity” identified by Verkuyten. It also evaluates the construct validity of the BEBI alongside the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R) and evaluates the BEBI and the MEIM-R (the latter of which measures exploration as “thinking” and commitment as “feeling” among ways of ethnicity) regarding criterion-related validity. Across two samples (n = 120 for Sample 1 and n = 148 for Sample 2), the BEBI and the MEIM-R performed suitably with regard to construct validity. However, the BEBI arguably performed better with regard to criterion-related validity (i.e., in predicting scores on life satisfaction, flourishing, positive and negative moods, and positive and negative emotions). Implications for validation studies on ways of ethnicity are discussed.

"Reliability generalization of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R)": Correction to Herrington et al. (2016).

Reports an error in "Reliability Generalization of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R)" by Hayley M. Herrington, Timothy B. Smith, Erika Feinauer and Derek Griner (Journal of Counseling Psychology, Advanced Online Publication, Mar 17, 2016, np). The name of author Erika Feinauer was misspelled as Erika Feinhauer. All versions of this article have been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2016-13160-001.) Individuals' strength of ethnic identity has been linked with multiple positive indicators, including academic achievement and overall psychological well-being. The measure researchers use most often to assess ethnic identity, the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM), underwent substantial revision in 2007. To inform scholars investigating ethnic identity, we performed a reliability generalization analysis on data from the revised version (MEIM-R) and compared it with data from the original MEIM. Random-effects weighted models evaluated internal consistency coefficients (Cronbach's alpha). Reliability coefficients for the MEIM-R averaged α = .88 across 37 samples, a statistically significant increase over the average of α = .84 for the MEIM across 75 studies. Reliability coefficients for the MEIM-R did not differ across study and participant characteristics such as sample gender and ethnic composition. However, consistently lower reliability coefficients averaging α = .81 were found among participants with low levels of education, suggesting that greater attention to data reliability is warranted when evaluating the ethnic identity of individuals such as middle-school students. Future research will be needed to ascertain whether data with other measures of aspects of personal identity (e.g., racial identity, gender identity) also differ as a function of participant level of education and associated cognitive or maturation processes. (PsycINFO Database Record

Examining the psychometric validity of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R) in a community sample of African American and European American adults.

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R), focusing on a sample drawn from a geographic region in the United States that has not been included in previously published research on the MEIM-R. Data were obtained from a community-based sample of 105 African American (AA) and 91 European American (EA) adults located in the state of Alabama. The MEIM-R was best represented by two constructs-exploration and commitment. AA adults reported higher levels of racial/ethnic identity exploration and commitment than EA adults. Differential item functioning was found among 1 of the exploration items. The current study provides additional support for the structural validity of the MEIM-R. Further research on the invariance of responses to the MEIM-R across a variety of sociodemographic factors is still necessary.

Supplemental Material for Examining the Psychometric Validity of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R) in a Community Sample of African American and European American Adults

Supplemental Material for Examining the Psychometric Validity of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R) in a Community Sample of African American and European American Adults

The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure—Revised: Measurement invariance across racial and ethnic groups.

The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R), a brief instrument assessing affiliation with one's ethnic group, is a promising advance in the ethnic identity literature. However, equivalency of its measurement properties across specific racial and ethnic groups should be confirmed before using it in diverse samples. We examined (a) the psychometric properties of the MEIM-R, including factor structure, measurement invariance, and internal consistency reliability, and (b) levels of and differences in ethnic identity across multiple racial and ethnic groups and subgroups. Asian (n = 630), Black/African American (n = 58), Hispanic (n = 240), multiethnic (n = 160), and White (n = 375) women completed the MEIM-R as part of the "Gestational diabetes' Effect on Moms" diabetes prevention trial in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California health care setting (N = 1,463; M age = 32.5 years, SD = 4.9). Multiple-groups confirmatory factor analyses provided provisional evidence of measurement invariance, i.e., an equal, correlated 2-factor structure, equal factor loadings, and equal item intercepts across racial and ethnic groups. Latent factor means for the 2 MEIM-R subscales, exploration and commitment, differed across groups; effect sizes ranging from small to large generally supported the notion of ethnic identity as more salient among people of color. Pending replication, good psychometric properties in this large and diverse sample of women support the future use of the MEIM-R. Preliminary evidence of measurement invariance suggests that the MEIM-R could be used to measure and compare ethnic identity across multiple racial and ethnic groups.

Supplemental Material for The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure—Revised: Measurement Invariance Across Racial and Ethnic Groups

Supplemental Material for The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure—Revised: Measurement Invariance Across Racial and Ethnic Groups

Measuring ethnic identity in the Ethnic Identity Scale and the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised.

This study examined the newly developed ethnic identity measures of the Ethnic Identity Scale (EIS) and the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R) from psychometric and theoretical perspectives. Survey data from 289 counseling students in California were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analyses supported three correlated factors of the EIS (exploration, resolution, and affirmation) and two correlated factors of the MEIM-R (exploration, commitment) for both European American and minority students. Consistent with the theories of Erikson's and Marcia's identity development, the EIS and the MEIM-R nicely depicted (a) Marcia's 4 (2 × 2) identity statuses of diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and achievement and (b) the hierarchy of identity statuses in relation to subjective well-being as an indicator of adjustment, especially for minority students. Additionally, European American and minority students revealed differences as to the salience and importance of ethnic identity. Recommendations for using the EIS and the MEIM-R are provided.

Development of Multi-group Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R) Japanese version

Development of Multi-group Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised (MEIM-R) Japanese version