Citation

Meca A, Sabet RF, Farrelly CM, Benitez CG, Schwartz SJ, Gonzales-Backen M, Lorenzo-Blanco EI, Unger JB, Zamboanga BL, Baezconde-Garbanati L, Picariello S, Des Rosiers SE, Soto DW, Pattarroyo M, Villamar JA, Lizzi KM. Cultur. Divers. Ethnic Minor. Psychol. 2017; 23(3): 348-361.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues; American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/cdp0000129

PMID

28206778

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study examined directionality between personal (i.e., coherence and confusion) and cultural identity (i.e., ethnic and U.S.) as well as their additive effects on psychosocial functioning in a sample of recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents.

METHOD: The sample consisted of 302 recent (<5 years) immigrant Hispanic adolescents (53% boys; Mage = 14.51 years at baseline; SD =.88 years) from Miami and Los Angeles who participated in a longitudinal study.

RESULTS: Results indicated a bidirectional relationship between personal identity coherence and both ethnic and U.S. identity. Ethnic and U.S. affirmation/commitment (A/C) positively and indirectly predicted optimism and negatively predicted rule breaking and aggression through coherence. However, confusion predicted lower self-esteem and optimism and higher depressive symptoms, rule breaking, unprotected sex, and cigarette use.

RESULTS further indicated significant site differences. In Los Angeles (but not Miami), ethnic A/C also negatively predicted confusion.

CONCLUSION: Given the direct effects of coherence and confusion on nearly every outcome, it may be beneficial for interventions to target personal identity. However, in contexts such as Los Angeles, which has at least some ambivalence toward recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents, it may be more beneficial for interventions to also target cultural identity to reduce confusion and thus promote positive development. (PsycINFO Database Record

(c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Language: en