Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology
2012-08-20
DOI: 10.1037/a0029438
Aerika S. Brittian, Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology
University of Illinois, Chicago
Adriana J. Umaña-Taylor, Professor
School of Social and Family Dynamics
Arizona State University
Chelsea L. Derlan
Arizona State University
This study examined family ethnic socialization, ethnic identity, and adjustment among Latino/White and Asian/White biracial college students (n = 507), with special attention to how ethnic self-identification and university ethnic composition informed the ethnic identity process. Findings indicated that family ethnic socialization was positively related to participants’ ethnic identity exploration and resolution, but not ethnic identity affirmation. Furthermore, ethnic identity resolution and affirmation were associated with higher self-acceptance and self-esteem, and lower depressive symptoms. Importantly, university ethnic composition moderated the association between ethnic identity resolution and anxiety, such that resolution promoted adjustment in contexts that were relatively more ethnically diverse. University ethnic composition also moderated the association between ethnic identity affirmation and both self-esteem and self-acceptance, such that affirmation was associated with better adjustment but only in schools that were less ethnically diverse.
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