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Adjustment problems in adolescence: are multiracial children at risk?
1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA. CooneyT@missouri.edu
The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
|November 22, 2000
Summary
Multiracial adolescents showed similar adjustment to single-race peers across most school, behavioral, and psychological measures. This study highlights the need for inclusive research and school interventions for diverse youth.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Psychology
- Sociology of Race
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical developmental period.
- Understanding adjustment across racial identities is crucial.
- Previous research has often focused on single-race groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the adjustment of multiracial adolescents with single-race adolescents.
- To identify differences in school, behavioral, and psychological dimensions.
- To inform future research and school-based interventions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a national survey.
- Compared adjustment across three groups: multiracial adolescents and two single-race adolescent groups.
- Assessed multiple dimensions including school, behavioral, and psychological factors for adolescents in grades seven to twelve.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in adjustment were found on fewer than half of the assessed dimensions.
- Multiracial adolescents demonstrated comparable adjustment to single-race peers in many areas.
- No widespread, significant disparities were observed across all evaluated domains.
Conclusions:
- The adjustment profiles of multiracial and single-race adolescents are more similar than different.
- Findings suggest a need to re-evaluate assumptions about racial identity and adolescent adjustment.
- Implications support the development of targeted, inclusive school interventions and further research into nuanced differences.