Bicultural identity and dropout risk among biethnic adolescents in Korea: A latent profile analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to classify the bicultural identity profiles of biethnic adolescents in Korea (N = 1298) using latent profile analysis and three indicators—Korean identity, bicultural acceptance, and acculturative stress. Their associations with dropout risk were examined thereafter. Four bicultural identity types emerged: alienated, struggling, adaptable, and embracing. The results revealed that the struggling type with low Korean identity, low bicultural acceptance, and high acculturative stress had the highest dropout risk. However, the embracing type with the highest levels of both Korean identity and bicultural acceptance and the lowest level of acculturative stress had the lowest dropout risk. The findings highlight the importance of developing a balanced bicultural identity.