Strong Ethnic Identity Research Articles

“Pandemic stress made him do it!”: COVID-19-related threat predicts vicarious justification for assaulting Chinese men—especially those with strong ethnic identity

“Pandemic stress made him do it!”: COVID-19-related threat predicts vicarious justification for assaulting Chinese men—especially those with strong ethnic identity

Discrimination and Mental Health Outcomes Among 1.5- and 2nd-Generation Muslim College Students

In the United States, Muslims live in a climate of heightened Islamophobia and racism. While research has indicated the negative mental health impacts of discrimination among Muslim Americans, the relationship between specific types of discrimination and mental health among 1.5- and 2nd-generation racial minority immigrant-origin Muslim American emerging adults remains unclear. This study, with a sample of 128 1.5- and 2nd-generation, racial minority, immigrant-origin Muslim American college students, explored the associations between (a) everyday experiences of discrimination, (b) campus racial climate, and (c) perceived Islamophobia in the broader culture and symptoms of depression and anxiety. We further examined whether perceived social support and ethnic identity moderated these associations. Findings revealed that everyday experiences of discrimination were significantly associated with symptoms of both depression and anxiety, and campus racial climate and broader perceptions of Islamophobia were significantly associated with anxiety but not depressive symptoms. Although stronger ethnic identity was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and higher perceived social support was associated with fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms, neither buffered against the negative effects of discrimination on mental health symptoms. The implications of the findings for culturally informed interventions and resources for Muslim American college students are discussed.

Mental health and Multiracial/ethnic adults in the United States: a mixed methods participatory action investigation.

Addressing gaps in the integration of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (J-DEI) in public health research and practice, this study investigates the mental health of Multiracial and multiethnic adults in the United States (U.S.). A rapidly growing racial/ethnic group in the U.S., Multiracial and multiethnic populations are often excluded or underrepresented in standard public health research and practice, and little is known about their mental health or associated risk and protective factors. To investigate this knowledge gap, an electronic cross-sectional survey was conducted in two waves in 2022, pulling from various community sources, with 1,359 respondents in total. Complementing this, seventeen semi-structured interviews were performed with a subset of survey participants. Data were analyzed using a mix of statistical methods and staged hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis. Findings indicate over half of the participants endorsed at least one mental health concern with prevalence of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors surpassing available national estimates. Exposure to trauma, discrimination, and microaggressions were found to play a significant role in these outcomes. Conversely, strong social support and strong ethnic identity emerged as protective factors. Qualitative insights brought forward the challenges faced by individuals in navigating bias and stigma, especially in the context of mental health care. Despite these barriers, emerging themes highlighted resilience, the importance of secure identity formation, and the critical role of community and cultural support. The marked prevalence of mental health concerns among Multiracial and multiethnic populations emphasizes the pressing need for tailored interventions and inclusive research methodologies. Recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by these communities is imperative in driving mental health equity in the U.S. The findings advocate for community-engaged practices, interdisciplinary collaborations, and the importance of addressing mental health challenges with cultural sensitivity, particularly in historically oppressed and marginalized groups. Future efforts must focus on refining these practices, ensuring that public health initiatives are genuinely inclusive and equitable.

An Examination of Peer Ethnic-Racial Socialization and Alcohol Intoxication Among Latino College Students

ABSTRACT Integrating students into their college community is viewed as essential for student retention. However, these efforts may expose students to a drinking subculture, which potentially threatens their academic success. This threat appears even more pronounced for students of color, who must also navigate racial obstacles such as prejudice and discrimination, which further predispose them to greater levels of problem drinking. Drawing off survey data from a Latino sample of college students, I examine the importance of peer socialization messages about ethnicity and race (peer ethnic-racial socialization; peer ERS) and how they influence levels of alcohol intoxication. A confirmatory factor analysis identified three dimensions of peer ERS: cultural socialization, preparation for bias, and promotion of mistrust. Peer messages stressing cultural socialization reduced levels of alcohol intoxication by promoting a strong ethnic identity. In addition, respondents actively involved in fraternities/sororities and student clubs/organizations reported reduced prevalence of alcohol intoxication when exposed to greater levels of all three dimensions of peer ERS. I discuss these findings within the broader ethnic-racial socialization literature as well as how they might be used by administrators to improve retention for students of color.

Peer Ethnicity as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Ethnic Identity and Body Appreciation in Black College-Aged Women.

Strong ethnic identity is recognized as a protective factor against body image concern and eating pathology in Black women as they tend to hold cultural values in line with an acceptance of a variety of body shapes and sizes. Reinforcement of these cultural ideals may occur via same-race peer relationships. The current study examined the mediating role of same-race versus other-race peers in the relationship between ethnic identity and body appreciation in Black women. Participants were 139 Black undergraduate women (Mage = 18.94 years, MBMI = 25.33) who completed validated measures of ethnic identity and body appreciation and reported on the ethnic makeup of their friends. We conducted mediation analysis examining the role of same-race peers on the relationship between ethnic identity and body appreciation. Same-race peers mediated the relationship between ethnic identity and body appreciation, where having a greater percentage of friends increased both ethnic identity and body appreciation in Black women. The influence of same-race peers should be considered in the development of culturally informed prevention and intervention efforts for eating pathology in Black women.

The role of fear of evaluation in group perception

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is associated with interpersonal impairment. One possible reason for this dysfunction is that people with SAD evaluate others differently on dimensions of warmth and dominance compared to individuals without the disorder. In the current study, we examined whether two core constructs of SAD, fear of negative evaluation and fear of positive evaluation, affect the judgments that people make about groups based on warmth and dominance. We also investigated whether racial similarity (i.e., whether someone is the same race as those they’re interacting with) and ethnic identity (i.e., one’s sense of belonging to a particular social group) played a role in the types of evaluations people made. We created vignettes about groups varying in warmth and dominance, as well as photos varying in racial makeup. We presented photo-vignette pairs to participants and asked them to rate their desire to interact with the groups depicted in the photo-vignette. Participants in general reported greater desire to interact with warmer and less dominant groups. People with higher fear of negative evaluation reported higher desire for interaction with warmer groups, and those with higher fear of positive evaluation reported higher desire to interact with less dominant groups. We did not find any support for our hypothesis that people with stronger ethnic identity would show greater desire to interact with groups that were more similar to their race. Implications for treatment and directions for further research are discussed.

Understanding Asian Americans’ Resilience to COVID-19 Online Hate through Latent Profiles of Ethnic Identity

Combining the stress and coping framework with the Communication Theory of Resilience, this study explores how Asian Americans’ ethnic identity is associated with their (a) perceptions of and (b) response to the threat of rising anti-Asian racial hate speech seen on social media during COVID-19. Using a person-centered approach, a latent profile analysis performed on data from a sample of 269 Asian Americans revealed a 4-profile structure. Covariate analyses showed that individuals with a stronger ethnic identity (defined as positive affiliation with their ethnic group and greater exploration) viewed the problem of COVID-19 online hate as more severe and reported greater enactment of resilience communication during the pandemic. These results suggest that there is greater variation in the ways that racially-targeted minorities vicariously experience online racial hate than has been considered previously. Results also indicate that individuals’ ethnic identities relate to how they perceive and respond to others’ online behaviors.

Ethnic Identity and Mechanisms of Mental Health Service Engagement Among Young Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses.

Young adults from minoritized racial and ethnic groups have lower rates of engagement in treatment for serious mental illnesses (SMI). Previous research suggests a relationship between ethnic identity development and engagement in mental health services, but it remains unclear how a sense of belonging and attachment to one's racial and ethnic group influences participation in treatment among young adults with SMI. Bivariate analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine whether ethnic identity was associated with treatment engagement (attendance and investment in treatment) and how ethnic identity might influence engagement through theoretical proximal mediators. Eighty-three young adults with SMI (95% from minoritized racial and ethnic groups) were recruited from four outpatient psychiatric rehabilitation programs and assessed at least 3 months after initiating services. Stronger ethnic identity was associated with greater investment in treatment but not with treatment attendance. The SEM analysis indicated that stronger ethnic identity may improve investment in treatment by enhancing hope (0.53, p < .05) and beliefs that mental health providers are credible (0.32, p < .05), and by increasing self-efficacy (-0.09, p < .05). Proximal mediators of engagement were associated with investment in treatment (hope and credibility, p < .05, and self-efficacy p = 0.055). Findings provide preliminary evidence of an empirical and theoretical relationship between ethnic identity development and engagement in treatment among young adults with SMI. Assessment and strengthening of a young person's ethnic identity may be a promising approach for improving their engagement in services and reducing inequities in their care.

Association of racism and substance use treatment with belief in the myth of an American Indian/Alaska Native biological vulnerability to alcohol problems.

Belief in an American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) specific biological vulnerability (BV) to alcohol problems is associated with worse alcohol outcomes among AIANs. Despite a notable lack of evidence that biogenetic factors play a greater role in the development of alcohol problems among AIANs than other groups, many people still believe this myth. Consistent with theory and evidence that greater experiences with discrimination leads to the internalization of stereotypes and oppression, we hypothesized that greater perceived racial discrimination (racism) would be associated with greater BV belief, but that having a stronger ethnic identity would weaken this association. We also examined whether previous substance use treatment as well as participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was associated with BV belief. Participants were 198 reservation-dwelling AI adults with a substance use problem who completed a survey as part of a larger community-based participatory study. A multiple regression analysis revealed that greater systemic racism was associated with greater belief in a BV; this association was not moderated by ethnic identity. Greater interpersonal racism was also associated with greater BV belief-but only among those low in ethnic identity. A regression analysis revealed that previous treatment, AA, and NA participation were not associated with BV belief. Greater systemic and interpersonal racism were associated with belief in a BV, and greater ethnic identity buffered the association between interpersonal racism and BV belief. This suggests that both combatting racism and fostering positive ethnic identity may help to lessen BV belief. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Ethnic identity and wellbeing in the lives of third-generation British Bangladeshi adults

This study investigated third generation Bangladeshi adults’ experiences of ethnic identity (EI) and sense of wellbeing. British citizens from racially minoritised backgrounds, such as British Bangladeshis, face numerous challenges related to cultural adjustment, discrimination, and exclusion that can impact wellbeing. Strong EI has been shown to increase psychological wellbeing in minority ethnic populations. Fifteen participants who identified as third-generation British Bangladeshi adults were engaged in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of EI and wellbeing. Thematic analysis of the data conceptualised three main themes, namely, ‘Oh my God, I’m different’: Being made to feel like an outsider in Britain; ‘You’re a coconut’: Being made to feel like an outsider within the British Bangladeshi community; and ‘A proper sense of belonging’ through ethnic identity. The findings point towards the role that EI can play in later generation immigrants’ sense of self and wellbeing. Implications are discussed.

Identification and political advertising: Exploring the role of ethnic identification in political advertising campaigns

Issues of race and ethnic diversity have emerged as important consideration in campaigning and developing political advertising. This study examines the moderating effect of the strength of ethnic identity for Hispanic and non-Hispanic White voters. The results of the between-subject factorial design indicate that non-Hispanic White individuals with strong ethnic identities hold more favorable attitudes toward a political candidate that advocates against same-sex marriage than non-Hispanic Whites with weak ethnic identities. Non-Hispanic White individuals with strong ethnic identities also expressed greater intentions to vote for and perceptions of similarity to the anti-same-sex marriage candidate. Conversely, Hispanic individuals with strong ethnic identities hold more favorable attitudes toward a political candidate that supports same-sex marriage than Hispanic individuals with weak ethnic identities. Findings show that the degree to which racial/ethnic members affirm their racial/ethnic affiliations influence their voting proclivities when facing a religiously controversial and morally framed social issue such as same-sex marriage.

Negative perceived context of reception and sociocultural resources on mental health among Hispanic and Somali adolescents.

Although immigrant negative perceived context of reception (PCOR), perceptions of the opportunities and degree of acceptance in an immigrant-receiving community, has been linked with compromised adolescent well-being, receiving contexts may differ by region and for youth from different ethnic backgrounds. The current study examines how negative PCOR and factors that promote resilience differentially shape mental health among Hispanic and Somali adolescents in Minnesota. Hispanic (n = 163) and Somali (n = 186) first- and second-generation youth aged 12-19 completed a survey on negative PCOR, assets and resources (i.e., ethnic identity, social support, religious participation), and mental well-being (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms). Parents and caregivers also completed a survey on PCOR and social support. Adolescent negative PCOR, relative to parent/caregiver negative PCOR, was associated with higher adolescent anxiety and depressive symptoms. Religious participation and social support, reported by both parent/caregiver and adolescent, was associated with lower anxiety and depressive symptoms. Additionally, among Hispanic adolescents, social support buffered the effects of negative PCOR on depressive symptoms. Conversely, strong ethnic identity was associated with higher depressive symptoms for both groups, suggesting acculturative and assimilative pressures play an important role in adolescent mental health. Although social ties can be weakened postmigration, our results indicate that social and religious resources remain beneficial. Given that by the end of the next decade over 50% of the US youth population will identify as part of a racial or ethnic minority group, positive postimmigration adaptation is a critical public health concern.

A person-centred approach to ethnic and national identity and its relation to subjective well-being among Korean New Zealanders

ABSTRACT This paper examined 1,270 Korean New Zealanders in terms of the patterns of their Korean ethnic and New Zealand national identities and how these orientations relate to their subjective well-being. This study revealed the four profiles of identity orientations: (1) strong levels of both ethnic and national identity (Integrated Identity); (2) strong ethnic and weak national identity (Separated Identity); (3) weak ethnic and strong national identity (Assimilated Identity); and (4) weak ethnic and weak national identity (Marginalised Identity). The separated identity orientation was slightly more prevalent among the Korean New Zealander sample, followed by integrated and marginalised identity orientations, with assimilation being the least common. Korean New Zealanders in the integrated identity profile reported the highest levels of subjective well-being, while those in the marginalised identity profile reported the lowest. The levels of subjective well-being between the separated and the assimilated identity profiles were similar. These findings underscore the importance of fostering a sense of belonging to the ethnic group and/or the host society as a booster to enhance life satisfaction and positive affect and also as a buffer against negative affect. This paper also discussed implications for New Zealand immigration policies, and future research directions.

Investigating the associations of acute psychedelic experiences and changes in racial trauma symptoms, psychological flexibility, and substance use among People with Racial and Ethnic Minoritized Identities in the United States and Canada

IntroductionEvidence suggests that psychedelics may serve as a therapeutic approach to reduce substance use; however, people with racial and ethnic minoritized (REM) identities are often excluded from this research. We investigated whether psychedelic use affects other substance use among REM people and whether perceived changes in psychological flexibility and racial trauma mediates this association. MethodsREM people in the United States and Canada (N = 211; 32 % Black, 29 % Asian, 18 % American Indian/Indigenous Canadian, 21 % Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander; 57 % female; mean age = 33.1, SD = 11.2) completed an online survey retrospectively reporting their substance use, psychological flexibility, and racial trauma symptoms 30 days before and after their most memorable psychedelic experience. ResultsAnalyses showed a significant perceived reduction in alcohol (p < .0001, d = 0.54) and drug use (p = .0001, d = 0.23) from before to after the psychedelic experience. Preliminary associations found perceived reductions in racial trauma symptoms were associated with perceived reductions in alcohol use and this association varied by race, dose, ethnic identity, and change in depressive symptoms. Specifically, Indigenous participants experienced greater perceived reductions in alcohol use relative to participants who identified as Asian, Black, or other. Those who took a high dose of psychedelics experienced greater perceived reductions in alcohol use relative to those who took a low dose. Participants with a stronger ethnic identity and those with a perceived reduction in depressive symptoms experienced a perceived reduction in alcohol use. Serial mediation indicated a perceived increase in psychological flexibility and reduction in racial trauma symptoms mediated the association between acute psychedelic effects and perceived reductions in alcohol and drug use. ConclusionThese findings suggest that psychedelic experiences may contribute to an increase in psychological flexibility and reduction in racial trauma symptoms and alcohol and drug use among REM people. REM people have been largely excluded from psychedelic treatment research even though psychedelic use is considered a traditional healing practice in many communities of color. Longitudinal studies of REM people should replicate our findings.

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.

Identificational Orientations among Three Generations of Migrants in France

Abstract Scholarship on migrant identity increasingly shows that migrants can—and often do—construct multifaceted identities. Yet, questions around migrant identity formation remain contested in France, given a strongly assimilationist policy context that (in theory) precludes multiple identification. This paper explores intergenerational patterns of migrant identification in France using a nationally representative sample of 1st-, 1.5th-, and 2nd-generation migrants in France from five diverse sending regions in the Trajectories and Origin Survey. We conduct a latent profile analysis to identify qualitatively different unobserved (or latent) categories of migrant identification based on observed responses to questions of identification and belonging. These analyses suggest there are five distinct “identificational orientations” among migrants: assimilated, active bicultural, othered bicultural, detached bicultural, and ethnic. While the assimilated and ethnic categories provide some support for a traditional assimilation framework, biculturalism is widely prevalent and multifaceted: We identify three distinct varieties of biculturalism (active, othered, and detached). We also provide evidence of segmentation in identificational assimilation by region of origin and conduct multivariate analyses that shed insight into the experiences that correlate with different identificational orientations. Our findings question the presumed threat of strong ethnic identification to France’s national cohesion and offer starting points for future research on how complex identities are formed within strongly assimilationist receiving contexts like France.

Perceived discrimination, ethnic identity, and ethnic-racial socialization in Chinese immigrant families before and after the COVID-19 outbreak: An exploratory natural experiment

Emerging research from the United States indicates that people with an East Asian background experience COVID-19-related racial discrimination. There is some (although not consistent) evidence that these discrimination experiences can in turn have psychological and behavioral consequences, such as strengthening one’s ethnic identity and influencing parents’ ethnic-racial socialization practices. The current study presents a unique natural experiment examining self-reported perceived discrimination experiences, ethnic identity, and ethnic-racial socialization among 80 Chinese immigrant mothers in the Netherlands before and after the COVID-19 outbreak (39 mothers recruited before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and 41 during). The main findings from our exploratory analyses indicated an impact of the pandemic with higher (subtle) discrimination and stronger ethnic identity among Chinese immigrant mothers living in the Netherlands, highlighting how personal experiences related to intergroup processes have changed as a result of the COVID-19 crisis in the European context.

Social support and resilience among Burmese adolescent refugees: Examining ethnic identity searching and belonging as moderators

Adolescent refugees are at risk of developing mental health difficulties due to exposure to trauma and stressors during the process of forced migration. However, many remain resilient in the face of adversity due to various protective factors. Previous research has suggested that family, peer social support, and stronger ethnic identity may serve as protective factors that improve resilience processes in refugee youth with some evidence indicating that these factors may interact to enhance positive adaptation and adjustment. Therefore, this study examined the main effects of peer and family social support, and ethnic identity searching and belonging on resilience behavior in a sample of Burmese adolescent refugees living in the United States. Additionally, ethnic identity searching and belonging were examined as moderators. Results indicated adolescents who reported greater peer and family social support also reported greater resilience during adversity. Ethnic identity searching and belonging were not significant predictors of resilience; however, ethnic identity searching did enhance the relationship between peer social support and resilience at both high and low levels of peer social support. These findings highlight the importance of social support and engaging in ethnic identity exploration for adolescent refugees. The implications for future research and the potential for interventions are fully discussed.

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.

Latina First-Generation College Students’ Motivation to Persist: An Attribution Theory and Self-determination Theory Perspective

ABSTRACT Fifty-two strongly committed, first-generation Latina women attending a predominantly white institution (PWI) were asked how their first-generation status has had an impact on their college experience and where they see themselves in five years. Written responses to these questions were analyzed from the lens of attribution theory and self-determination theory. Findings show that first-generation Latina college students remain optimistic that they can achieve their goals, which enhances their self-determination to work hard to overcome obstacles. They take proactive steps to find student resources when needed and take pride in their ability to wade through the challenges of the help-seeking process. Through their association with peers from similar backgrounds, students draw strength from the knowledge that they are not alone. Fostered by their strong ethnic identity, many students envision themselves in careers that will help improve the lives of members in low-income Latino communities, a goal aligned with their values and sense of self.