Ethnic identity, familial ethnic socialization, religiosity, and psychological adjustment in Middle Eastern emerging adults: A risk and resiliency framework

The aim of the current study was to determine if protective and risk factors are associated with good or poor well-being within Middle Eastern emerging adults. The relationships among ethnic identity, religiosity, family ethnic socialization (protective factors), acculturative stress and discrimination (risk factors), level of acculturation, and self-esteem were examined using a sample of 152 Middle Eastern emerging adults. Results indicated that Middle Eastern emerging adults who reported higher commitment levels of ethnic identity experienced less depression. High levels of familial ethnic socialization were also associated with less depression. Participants who reported high levels of acculturative stress and discrimination experienced lower levels of self-esteem. High levels of acculturative stress and discrimination were also associated with higher levels of depression. A regression was used to examine if strong ethnic identity, familial ethnic socialization and religiosity positively predicted self-esteem. This hypothesis was not supported. These results are discussed in terms of a protective/risk factor framework as well as the developmental stage of identity development. Bilingualism, generational status, and the differences between collectivistic and individualistic cultural values are also discussed.