Complexities in Researching Mixed Ancestry Adolescents: A Preliminary Study

Posted in Identity Development/Psychology, Media Archive, Papers/Presentations, United States on 2009-11-11 03:35Z by Steven

Complexities in Researching Mixed Ancestry Adolescents: A Preliminary Study

Wellesley Centers for Women
2004

Michelle Porche

Peony Fhagen-Smith, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Wheaton College, Norton Massachusetts

Jo H. Kim

Heidie A. Vázquez García

Allison J. Tracy

Sumru Erkut

Contemporary events, such as the change in the 2000 U.S. Census, highlight the need for a better understanding of political, social, and psychological ramifications of mixed-ancestry identity. To be able to monitor and serve the needs of mixed-ancestry youth, we need to be able to identify who is and is not a mixed-ancestry individual. Subsequently, we need to examine particular risk and protective factors relevant to mixed-ancestry youth. In this paper we review some of the recent literature on mixed-ancestry adolescents’ social adjustment and the assessment of mixed ancestry and present theories of mixed-ancestry identity formation. We then present the results of a preliminary qualitative study of mixed-ancestry college students that illustrate some of the empirical findings and theoretical suppositions.

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