Relationship-specific variability in adolescents' ethnic self-labeling preferences

Consistency between adolescents' best-fitting ethnic label and the labels uses in three different relationship contexts was compared and linked to adjustment among 154 9th-10th graders (50% 9th; 56% female) of Asian descent. Results indicated that 57%, 61%, and 63% of adolescents reported best-fitting labels that were inconsistent with the labels they would use with Asian, non-Asian minority, and European American peers, respectively, and only 25% reported using the same label across all four situations. Inconsistency was not associated with gender or generation, but was linked with higher perceived discrimination. Despite its prevalence, there were few adjustment differences based on labeling inconsistency. One exception was that adolescents who reported inconsistency between best-fitting labels and labels used with non-Asian minority peers reported more negative emotions than those with concordant labels. Results and discussion highlight the need to continue investigating the contextual fluidity of ethnic labels, including predictors and developmental and cultural implications.