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Published on: July 10, 2017
Relationship-specific variability in adolescents' ethnic self-labeling preferences.
Lisa Kiang1, Natasha C Johnson
1Wake Forest University, PO Box 7778, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA. KiangL@wfu.edu
Journal of Adolescence
|September 10, 2013
Summary
Adolescents often use different ethnic labels depending on social context, which can relate to perceived discrimination. Labeling inconsistency showed few adjustment impacts, except for increased negative emotions in some cases.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Developmental Science
Background:
- Adolescents' ethnic identity exploration involves navigating different social contexts.
- Understanding the consistency of ethnic self-labeling is crucial for adolescent adjustment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the consistency of ethnic labels used by adolescents across different peer groups.
- To investigate the relationship between ethnic labeling consistency and adolescent adjustment, including perceived discrimination and emotional well-being.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 154 Asian adolescents (9th-10th graders) on their best-fitting ethnic label and labels used with various peer groups.
- Assessed perceived discrimination, gender, generation, and adjustment indicators (e.g., negative emotions).
Main Results:
- A majority of adolescents reported inconsistent ethnic labeling across different peer contexts (Asian, non-Asian minority, European American).
- Labeling inconsistency was associated with higher perceived discrimination but showed limited overall impact on adjustment.
- Inconsistency between best-fitting and non-Asian minority peer labels correlated with increased negative emotions.
Conclusions:
- Ethnic labeling among adolescents is contextually fluid, reflecting dynamic identity processes.
- While inconsistency is common and linked to discrimination, its direct impact on adjustment is nuanced.
- Further research is needed on the developmental and cultural implications of ethnic label fluidity.
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