Abstract
Ethnic identity is associated with various positive outcomes for Black adolescents, but more information is needed about its potential to protect adolescents exposed to stress. Stressful life events predict a range of health outcomes, yet few studies have examined their association with adolescent self-perception. Ethnic identity may serve as protection from stress. This study examines longitudinal data to understand relationships between ethnic identity, stressful life events, and self-perception (i.e., social competence, behavioral conduct, and global self-worth). The sample included 140 adolescents (65% female; 93% Black) with an average age of 12.55 (SD = 0.85). Results indicate stressful life events are associated with behavioral conduct self-perception, and ethnic identity is associated with global self-worth. Ethnic identity behavior and other group orientation are associated with self-perception. Ethnic identity and ethnic identity behavior moderate the relationship between stressful life events and behavioral conduct self-perception. Understanding the connections between adolescent stressors and strengths provides insight into research, practice, and policy directions to promote positive outcomes.
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Notes
Items removed from the other group orientation subscale include: “I sometimes feel it would be better if different racial groups didn’t try to mix together” and “I don’t try to become friends with people from other racial groups.” Items removed from the achievement subscale include: “I am not very clear about the role of my race in my life” and “I really have not spent much time trying to learn more about the culture and history of my racial group.”
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K.B. designed the research study, conducted statistical analyses, and drafted the manuscript; S.D.M. designed the research study, including leading its conceptualization, IRB process, overseeing data collection, and helped draft the manuscript; K.G. supported statistical analyses and helped draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Bare, K., McMahon, S.D. & Grant, K. Black Adolescent Self-Perceptions: The Roles of Ethnic Identity and Stress Exposure. J. Youth Adolescence 53, 316–330 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01852-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01852-0