An exploratory mixed methods study of multiracial Americans' race choices on the 2020 census

We asked Multiracial emerging adults' about how they racially identified on the 2020 census, why they checked those boxes, their feelings about the options available to them, and how they would change the census options. After identifying the different themes, we looked at how groups differed on outcomes of Multiracial experiences, critical reflection, and self-esteem.

We recruited a sample of 424 Multiracial emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 29 (67.1% female, M_age = 23.5). They responded to short-answer questions and survey items. Short-answer responses were coded into categories based on the themes identified, and associations with scales were examined using an analysis of variance and t test.

Three themes were identified for reasons for selections on the census: identity-driven, accuracy-driven, and externally driven. Five themes represented participants' feelings about the census options, which were narrowed down to two themes (okay with the census options vs. add more census options). The accuracy-driven group reported higher scores for shifting racial expressions, challenges with racial identity, and critical reflection, as well as lower scores for self-esteem. In addition, individuals who wanted more options added to the census scored higher on challenges with racial identity and critical reflection.

Multiracial emerging adults who seek to objectively report their racial background on the census regardless of how they identify shift racial expressions and report lower self-esteem, and like those who want more options added to the census, they experience more identity challenges but are more racially aware. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).