Ethnic and Racial Identity in Adolescence: Implications for Psychosocial, Academic, and Health Outcomes

Deborah Rivas-Drake, Eleanor Seaton, Carol Markstrom, Stephen Quintana, Moin Syed, Richard M. Lee, Seth J. Schwartz, Adriana J. Umaña-Taylor, Sabine French, Tiffany Yip, William E. Cross, George P. Knight, Robert M. Sellers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

512 Scopus citations

Abstract

The construction of an ethnic or racial identity is considered an important developmental milestone for youth of color. This review summarizes research on links between ethnic and racial identity (ERI) with psychosocial, academic, and health risk outcomes among ethnic minority adolescents. With notable exceptions, aspects of ERI are generally associated with adaptive outcomes. ERI are generally beneficial for African American adolescents' adjustment across all three domains, whereas the evidence is somewhat mixed for Latino and American Indian youth. There is a dearth of research for academic and health risk outcomes among Asian American and Pacific Islander adolescents. The review concludes with suggestions for future research on ERI among minority youth.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)40-57
Number of pages18
JournalChild development
Volume85
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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