Wantchekon KA, Umaña-Taylor AJ. Relating Profiles of Ethnic-Racial Identity Process and Content to the Academic and Psychological Adjustment of Black and Latinx Adolescents.
J Youth Adolesc 2021;
50:1333-1352. [PMID:
34085185 DOI:
10.1007/s10964-021-01451-x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Ethnic-racial identity (i.e., individuals' beliefs about their ethnic-racial group membership and the processes through which they develop those beliefs) is a developmental competency that can promote adolescents' adjustment; however, the extant literature has largely focused on how distinct dimensions of ethnic-racial identity are associated with adjustment (i.e., variable-centered approaches), potentially obscuring a more holistic understanding of this developmental competency. The current study utilized latent profile analysis, a person-centered approach, to examine profiles of ethnic-racial identity among Black (n = 325; Mage = 15.94, SD = 1.14) and Latinx (n = 370; Mage = 16.13, SD = 1.10) adolescents as well as links between profile membership and adjustment. Three ethnic-racial identity profiles emerged: Diffuse & Low Regard (n = 55; lower development, lower self-concept); Diffuse & High Regard (n = 160; lower development, higher self-concept); and Developed & Idealized (n = 477; higher development, higher self-concept). The profile highest in ethnic-racial identity across all indicators reported the highest levels of adjustment. The findings highlight the synergistic benefits of ethnic-racial identity development and positive self-concept for adolescents' psychosocial and academic adjustment.
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