Melinda A. Gonzales-Backen

Examining the role of physical appearance in Latino adolescents' ethnic identity

Guided by ecological theory, the current study examined physical appearance as a moderator of the relation between familial ethnic socialization (FES) and ethnic identity among 167 Latino adolescents. Results indicated that FES was positively associated with ethnic identity exploration and resolution. Furthermore, as expected, physical appearance moderated the relation between FES and ethnic identity affirmation such that this relation was positive among adolescents who were rated as having a more Latino appearance, a less European appearance, and darker skin, and it was non-significant among adolescents with a less Latino appearance, a more European appearance, and lighter skin. Findings underscore the importance of considering within-group variation when studying ethnic identity. In addition, this study highlights the importance of examining ethnic identity as a multidimensional construct.

Family violence exposure and sexual risk-taking among Latino emerging adults: the role of posttraumatic stress symptomology and acculturative stress

This study proposes that posttraumatic stress symptomology and acculturative stress may further explain the relationship between family violence exposure and sexual risk-taking behaviors among Latino emerging adults (N = 1,100). A moderated mediation analysis indicated that lifetime rates of family violence exposure were positively associated with sexual risk-taking via posttraumatic stress symptomology, and this mediation significantly varied as a function of acculturative stress. Overall, the findings of the current study underscore a need for a better understanding of how family violence exposure puts Latino emerging adults at risk for aversive health outcomes and suggest the use of an ecological systemic framework that examines the interactions between family, individual, and cultural systems in relation to health risk-taking behaviors.

Ethnic–Racial Identity of Black Emerging Adults The Role of Parenting and Ethnic–Racial Socialization

Ethnic–racial identity (ERI) development is important for ethnic–racial minority youth because of its association with their positive adjustment. Guided by Garcia Coll’s ecocultural framework and using survey data from 729 Black college students, we examined the associations between relationships with parents (i.e., disrespect, psychological control, nurturance, and connection), ethnic–racial socialization (ERS), and ERI in hopes of understanding ways to promote ERI formation. Findings from two multiple group models suggested that, among men, nurturance from mothers and fathers was associated with ERI and these associations were mediated by ERS. For women, connection with mothers was associated with ERI through ERS and nurturance from fathers was indirectly and positively associated with ERI through ERS. Contrary to our hypothesis, disrespect from fathers was positively associated with ERI via ERS, but only for women. Findings suggest that both ERS and the parent–child relationship are important for ERI formation among Black emerging adults.

The Role of Social and Personal Identities in Self-Esteem Among Ethnic Minority College Students

This study examined the latent personal-social identity profiles that emerged from simultaneous consideration of ethnic, national (United States), and personal identities among ethnic minority college students (N = 3,009) as well as how personal and social identities are jointly associated with self-esteem. Results indicated that the structure of personal-social identity profiles significantly differed across ethnicity, but also indicated some commonalities. The study identified three profiles among Blacks, four among Asian Americans, and two among Latinos. Some personal-social identity profiles were common across multiple ethnic groups, but others were unique within one specific ethnic group. Overall, the profiles indicated important associations between ethnic identity, U.S. identity, and personal identity. These profiles were linked with self-esteem such that individuals who reported high levels of multiple social and personal identities had the highest self-esteem compared to other profiles.

Ethnic Identity Trajectories among Mexican-Origin Girls during Early and Middle Adolescence: Predicting Future Psychosocial Adjustment.

We examined trajectories of ethnic identity exploration, resolution, and affirmation and their associations with depressive symptoms and self-esteem 3.5 years later among early and middle adolescent Mexican-origin girls (N = 338). Findings indicated that exploration, resolution, and affirmation increased over time for both cohorts. Among early adolescents, growth in exploration was associated with more depressive symptoms during middle adolescence, whereas higher initial levels and greater rates of change of affirmation predicted fewer subsequent depressive symptoms. Among middle adolescents, higher baseline levels of exploration and affirmation predicted fewer depressive symptoms in late adolescence. Higher initial levels and greater change in affirmation predicted higher self-esteem among both cohorts. Findings highlight the developmental and multifaceted quality of ethnic identity and that associations between ethnic identity and adjustment may vary by adolescent developmental stage. (PsycINFO Database Record

Cultural profiles among Mexican-Origin girls: Associations with psychosocial adjustment

Much of the cultural processes research has used single-domain measures of and approaches to cultural orientation, acculturation, and ethnic identity. The current study examined the latent cultural profiles that emerged from the intrapersonal (i.e., ethnic identity and generational status), interpersonal (i.e., language use), and familial (i.e., familial ethnic socialization) domains among 338 Mexican-origin girls in 7th (n = 170; Mage = 12.27, SD = .28; 63.6% U.S.-born) and 10th grades (n = 168; Mage = 15.21, SD = .46; 60.6% U.S.-born). Further, we examined how these profiles were associated with self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and discrimination. Four cultural profiles emerged from a latent profile analysis (i.e., strong-positive, strong-negative, Spanish-dominant low, and English-dominant low). Results indicated that the strong-positive profile (i.e., high on ethnic identity and familial ethnic socialization, bilingual, second generation) was most adaptive, in that this group had the highest self-esteem. Profiles did not differ in perceived discrimination or depressive symptoms. Results highlight the multifaceted nature of cultural profiles and suggest that affiliation with heritage culture across intrapersonal, interpersonal, and familial domains is beneficial for the psychosocial adjustment of Mexican-origin girls. Implications of the use of a multidomain conceptualization of cultural processes in research and positive youth adjustment programs are discussed. Gran parte de las investigaciones sobre procesos culturales han utilizado medidas y enfoques unidimensionales para la orientación cultural, aculturación, e identidad étnica). El presente estudio examinó perfiles culturales que surgieron a partir de las dimensiones intrapersonal (i.e., identidad étnica y estatus generacional en los Estados Unidos [EE.UU]), interpersonal (i.e., uso del idioma), y familiar (i.e., socialización étnica familiar) con 338 niñas de origen mexicano en los grados 7° (n = 170; Medad = 12.27, SD = .28; 63.6% nacidas en EE.UU.) y 10° (n = 168; Medad = 15.21, SD = .46; 60.6% nacidas en EE.UU.). Además, examinamos cómo estos perfiles estaban asociados con autoestima, síntomas depresivos, y discriminación. Cuatro perfiles culturales surgieron usando Latent Profile Analysis (i.e., fuerte-positivo, fuerte-negativo, bajo, con preferencia al español, bajo, con preferencia al inglés). Los resultados indicaron que el perfil muy positivo (i.e., alta identidad étnica y socialización étnica familiar, bilingüe, y segunda generación) fue el mejor adaptado ya que este grupo tuvo el nivel más alto de autoestima. No hubo diferencia entre los perfiles en discriminación y síntomas depresivos. Los resultados resaltan el origen multifacético de los perfiles culturales y sugieren que la afiliación hacia el patrimonio cultural de origen familiar sobre las áreas intrapersonales, interpersonales, y familiares es beneficiosa para adaptación psicológica de la niñas de origen mexicano. Se discutirán las implicaciones que tiene el uso de una concepción multifacética de perfiles culturales en la investigación y programas para la adaptación positiva de jóvenes.

Personal and Cultural Identity Development in Recently Immigrated Hispanic Adolescents: Links With Psychosocial Functioning

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.

Romantic relationships among emerging adult African-American men: A latent profile analysis

Studies of romantic relationships among emerging adult African-American men have the potential to inform downstream challenges observed in marriage and relationship development among African-Americans. To date, however, most research on African-American men has focused narrowly on sexual risk behavior, to the exclusion of normative relationship behavior. Accordingly, we focused on understanding heterogeneity in emerging adult African-American men’s romantic relationships. We conducted a latent profile analysis with 354 men participating in the African-American Men’s Project who had a main female romantic partner. To understand the significance of the resulting profiles, we examined the correlates of each profile in the areas of sociodemographics, adverse childhood experiences, masculinity attitudes, and health risk behaviors. Results revealed three romantic relationship groups: Supportive, Uncommitted, and Volatile. Differences were detected among the groups in education, fertility with partners, adverse childhood experiences, masculinity attitudes, substance abuse, and sexual concurrency.

Examining the Temporal Order of Ethnic Identity and Perceived Discrimination among Hispanic Immigrant Adolescents.

Ethnic identity formation is a central developmental task that can become challenging when adolescents face a salient stressor, such as ethnic discrimination. Although ethnic identity and experiences with ethnic discrimination are thought to be associated, the temporal order of these constructs is unclear. In the current study, we examined (a) the rejection-identification model and (b) the identification-attribution model in a longitudinal, cross-lagged model among 302 Hispanic immigrant adolescents (Mage = 14.51, SD = .88 at baseline; 46.7% female) living in Miami (n = 152) and Los Angeles (n = 150). Results support the identification-attribution model such that adolescents who reported higher levels of ethnic identity exploration reported higher levels of perceived discrimination 1 year later. Conversely, adolescents who reported higher levels of ethnic identity belonging reported less subsequent perceived discrimination. Findings suggest that ethnic identity formation may affect the recognition of ethnic discrimination among Hispanic immigrant adolescents.

Friends' Cultural Orientation as a Mediator Between Familial Ethnic Socialization and Ethnic Identity Among Mexican-Origin Adolescent Girls.

Objectives: Research has indicated that ethnic identity protects ethnic minority youth on various indicators of adjustment, but there is a dearth of research pertaining to contextual influences on ethnic identity. Our study investigated how familial ethnic socialization and best friend’s orientation toward Mexican culture influenced ethnic identity among Mexican-origin girls. Method: Using a 3-wave longitudinal sample of 175 Mexican-origin adolescent girls (Mage = 13.75), the current study examined best friend’s Mexican cultural orientation as a mediator between familial ethnic socialization and ethnic identity with structural equation modeling. Multigroup analyses were conducted to examine potential age and generational status differences within the model. Results: Analyses revealed that familial ethnic socialization promoted ethnic identity exploration and resolution 3.5 years later and that this effect was mediated by best friend’s Mexican cultural orientation. No significant differences were found across age or generational status groups. Conclusions: Our study highlights the contribution of peer context to ethnic identity and its role in the process by which familial ethnic socialization influences ethnic identity during adolescence.