Resilience to Discrimination Stress Across Ethnic Identity Stages of Development

Authors

Andrea J. Romero, University of ArizonaFollow
Lisa M. Edwards, Marquette UniversityFollow
Stephanie A. Fryberg, University of Arizona
Michele Orduña, University of Arizona

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

11 p.

Publication Date

1-2014

Publisher

Wiley

Source Publication

Journal of Applied Social Psychology

Source ISSN

0021-9029

Abstract

Ethnic identity development may increase resilience to discrimination and prejudice, which are often common and stressful for ethnic minority adolescents. Based on ethnic identity development theory and resilience theory, we hypothesize that under high discrimination stress, ethnic affirmation and ethnic identity stage will have protective moderating effects on self-esteem and depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional self-report study with 125 ethnic minority adolescents (13–18 years) found that ethnic affirmation (p < .05) had protective effects on depressive symptoms (p < .05) and protective-enhancing effects on self-esteem at high levels of discrimination stress. Achieved ethnic identity stage (p < .05) had protective-stabilizing effects on self-esteem at high discrimination stress. Our findings demonstrate that the protective elements of ethnic identity are feeling positive about one's ethnic group, having learned about one's history, and having resolved conflicts about one's ethnic group.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Vol. 44, No. 1 (January 2014): 1-11. DOI. © 2014 Wiley. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Romero, Andrea J.; Edwards, Lisa M.; Fryberg, Stephanie A.; and Orduña, Michele, "Resilience to Discrimination Stress Across Ethnic Identity Stages of Development" (2014). College of Education Faculty Research and Publications. 362.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/edu_fac/362