Ethnic Identity and Family Processes Among Adolescents From Latin American, Asian, and European Backgrounds

• NCJ Number: 226026
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 38 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2009 Pages: 228-241
• Author(s): Lisa Kiang; Andrew J. Fuligni
• Date Published: February 2009
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In this study, ninth graders (n=679; 50 percent female) from Latin-American (41 percent), Asian (38 percent), and European (21 percent) backgrounds reported on their ethnic identity and family attitudes and relationships.

Abstract

The findings indicate that a sense of ethnic identity measured by attention to cultural values and belonging to a distinctive racial/ethnic heritage, was more strongly associated with obligation to parents and other family members as well as assistance for one another than with parent-child closeness and family leisure time. Adolescents from Latin-American and Asian backgrounds reported significantly higher levels of obligation to and assistance from and to family members compared to adolescents in families with European backgrounds. These ethnic differences were mediated by the strength of ethnic identity. These links between ethnic identity and family-based respect and obligation were shown to persist during a period of 1 year in this longitudinal study. The authors conclude that a strong sense of ethnic identity is linked to respect for and frequency of daily interactions among family members that can be a source of support in times of need. Further, the greater sense of family obligation that arises out of ethnic identity can provide a structure for setting positive life goals. This sample of ninth-grade students was recruited from three high schools in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Two subscales of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity measures (Phinney, 1992) assessed ethnic identity. Seven items measured beliefs about the importance of respecting and following the family wishes, and 12 items assessed attitudes toward family obligation and family assistance. The Cohesion subscale of the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scales II assessed parent-child cohesion separately for mother and father. Daily family assistance and family-based leisure activities were also measured. 4 tables, 2 figures, and 40 references