| Ethnic identity is defined in the current research as a collection of attitudes and behaviors associated with a cultural heritage. Ethnic identity is a situated identity whose characteristics vary by social situation. This research examines how ethnic identity among adolescents relates to diverse measures of adolescent functioning, some of which have not been examined previously. This research develops a more complete picture of ethnic identity and of the larger social context in which ethnic identity operates.;The variables that represent ethnic identity are feelings about ethnic background, salience of ethnic background, fluency in a minority language, social immersion with co-ethnics, and the importance of social immersion with co-ethnics, The outcome variables are academic performance, educational expectations, self-esteem, psychological symptoms of distress, and delinquency. This study conducts secondary analysis on survey data collected in several waves in California and Wisconsin high schools from non-Hispanic Whites and from African-American, Asian-American, and Hispanic-American students. The main hypothesis, that a strong ethnic identity is an important determinant of healthy adolescent functioning, is tested using multiple linear regression analyses.;Three situational contexts (perceived ethnic discrimination, generation in the U.S., and the ethnic composition of the school) often influenced elements of ethnic identity. Positive ethnic feelings was the only ethnic identity variable for which no consistent situational effects could be identified, and it showed positive relations to all adolescent functioning outcomes. Other elements of ethnic identity had mixed results, affecting some areas of adolescent functioning and not others. Delinquency and psychological symptoms of distress were largely unaffected by the strength of ethnic identity, while academic performance, educational expectations, and self-esteem were higher with some elements of ethnic identity.;Adolescents generally showed a stronger ethnic identity when circumstances forced them to confront their ethnicity regularly. There was considerable variation in the relations of different elements of ethnic identity to specific adolescent functioning outcomes. The results illustrate the importance of social contexts for ethnic identity and support the proposition that ethnic identity is a situated and multidimensional identity. |
