The co-construction of racial and ethnic identities and self-esteem in Asian American youth: Effects of belonging and exclusion

While adolescent identity development has been an important area of research, little research has focused on identities of Asian American youth and their social relationships to peer referent groups (Kim & Yeh, 2002; Rosenbloom & Way, 2004; Way & Chen, 2000; Yeh & Huang, 1996), This study examines the co-construction of racial and ethnic identities in high-school age Asian American youth in relation to belonging to and exclusion from multiple peer referent groups in school settings. In a concurrent mixed-method design, 112 Asian American youth were surveyed and a sub-group of 8 students were interviewed about the impact of peer group belonging and exclusion in relation to multiple peer referent groups (i.e., White, Black, and Asian American) on racial and ethnic identities. Quantitative and qualitative results indicate the interrelatedness and differentiation in racial and ethnic identities, and belonging and exclusion. Self-esteem was not associated with racial and ethnic identities nor belonging and exclusion. Results also suggest the important role of parental/familial influences, gender differences, and socioeconomic contexts in the negotiation of racial and ethnic identities in relation to belonging and exclusion with peer referent groups.