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Identity development in interracial, Asian/white late adolescents: Must it be so problematic?
1Department of Psychology, University of Washington, NI-25, 98195, Seattle, Washington.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|November 23, 2013
Summary
This study found that Asian/white adolescents do not differ significantly in identity development from Asian or white peers. Their racial identity is less central, suggesting they may not be an at-risk group.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Multicultural Psychology
Background:
- Adolescent identity formation is a critical developmental stage.
- The unique experiences of multiracial individuals, specifically Asian/white adolescents, warrant investigation.
- Previous research suggested multiracial individuals may face identity challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine if Asian/white late adolescents represent an at-risk group for identity development.
- To explore the centrality of race and ethnicity in Asian/white identity formation.
- To compare identity development and racial values between Asian/white, Asian, and white college students.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Marcia's Identity Interview (1966) with a racial component.
- Administered Mar's Asian Values Scale (1988).
- Sample included 51 Asian/white, Asian, and white college students.
Main Results:
- Asian/white subjects did not exhibit significantly different identity statuses compared to Asian or white subjects.
- Asian/white subjects' values aligned with Asian subjects on the Asian Values Scale.
- Race was rated as significantly less important in identity formation by Asian/white subjects than by Asian subjects.
Conclusions:
- Asian/white adolescents may not be as at-risk for identity development issues as previously assumed.
- In this sample, Asian/white individuals had positively resolved racial identity issues.
- Race was not a daily point of contention for Asian/white subjects in this study.
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