A Healthy Balance: Multiculturalist Inclusive Attitudes as Contributors of Resilience Among Hispanic/Latina/o/e Emerging Adults

• In Event: Healing, Care, and Justice: Navigating Identities and Resilience in (P-20) Latinx Educational Spaces

Abstract

Hispanic/Latina/o/e emerging adults continue to enter higher education at increased rates. Emerging adulthood is marked by cognitive, personal, and sociocultural shifts that prompt identity negotiation. This developmental period is associated with various stressors and declined mental health, with Hispanic/Latina/o/es being at an increased risk for poor mental health outcomes. These risks increase at Historically White Institutions (HWI) where Hispanic/Latina/o/e students report experiencing chronic discrimination, racism, and microaggressions. Yet, the Hispanic/Latina/o/es continue to demonstrate resilience through positive post-secondary and mental health outcomes. Using a newly developed attitudinal measure of ethnic-racial identity, this study sought to identify attitudes and beliefs that promote resilience among Hispanic/Latina/o/e emerging adults at an HWI in Texas. Findings revealed that multiculturalist inclusive beliefs significantly promoted psychological resilience.

Author

• Stephanie Cuellar, Texas Christian University