Ethnic-racial identity among White adolescents: Patterns and links to adjustment

Abstract

The racially charged sociopolitical climate in the U.S. amplifies the salience of ethnic-racial identity (ERI) among all youth, including White youth. To build a better understanding of how White youth's ERI development and beliefs manifest and the implications of these patterns, this study identified ERI profiles among White adolescents (n = 525, M_age = 16.30; 51 % girls, 49 % boys) and examined relations between profile membership and two indicators of adjustment tied to intergroup contact attitudes: anxiety and self-esteem. Three profiles emerged: Secure & Identity Aware (n = 118), Moratorium & Negative Affect (n = 35), and Diffuse & Detached (n = 371). The Secure & Identity Aware profile reported the highest self-esteem and lowest anxiety, and the Moratorium & Negative Affect profile reported the lowest self-esteem and highest anxiety. Discussion draws connections between these findings and prior white identity research to consider potential implications of profile membership for social attitudes.