Ethnic Identity Development for Black Adolescents Across the School Transition

• In Event: Pathways to STEM Identity Development for Youth Underrepresented in STEM

Abstract

Scholars have overwhelmingly found ethnic identity to be an important form of resilience for Black youth especially in the face of environmental stressors like racial discrimination. However, much less is known about how ethnic identity develops and the contextual factors that impact its development such as school transitions. This study uses longitudinal data from the UCLA Middle and High School Diversity Project to explore the development of 3 aspects of ethnic identity—ethnic exploration, pride, and out group orientation—from 6th-11th grade. Preliminary findings show each individual parameter to have its own unique growth trajectory with ethnic pride being especially impacted by the transition to high school. Findings have implications for the role of schools in supporting ethnic identity development.

Authors

• Amirah L. Saafir, California State University - Fullerton

• Sandra Graham, University of California - Los Angeles