2-079 - A Multidimensional Approach to Social and Religious Identity Development Among Muslim-American Adolescents

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Muslim-American adolescents face significant challenges as they navigate the key developmental task of identity formation in a heated, sociopolitical American context (Sirin & Fine, 2008). However, there has been a limited examination of group identity development among Muslim adolescents, as well as contextual factors that uniquely relate to Muslim identity. Thus, the aim of the proposed symposium was to adopt a multidimensional approach to the examination of the social and religious identities of Muslim adolescents, as well as the unique factors associated with identity.

The first paper examined collective identity clusters among a diverse sample of Muslim-American adolescents (ages 12-18). The resulting clusters were compared on autonomy supportive and controlling parenting, and adolescents’ psychological functioning. The second paper utilized the cluster analysis approach to examine social identity and racial attitudes among 10 – 14 year old Arab-American Muslim adolescents. The third paper studied the socio-cultural variables that are related to religious identity among 13 – 18 year old Arab American adolescents, such as family support, religious support and acculturation. The final paper examined social identity amongst participants in young adulthood. In this paper, Muslim-American’s identity experiences were compared to White Americans with a focus on socio-demographic characteristics that predict identity development.

The proposed symposium will be a first step towards advancing our understanding regarding the development of multidimensional identity among Muslim youth, as they come of age in a heated political context. Implications for future research and policymakers will be discussed.

Sub Unit

• Social, Emotional, Personality

Chair

• Selcuk R. Sirin, New York University

Individual Presentations

• Person-centered Examination of Collective Identity among Muslim-American Adolescents - Presenting Author: Madiha Tahseen, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Charissa Siew Lyng Cheah, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

• Mann Ana? (Who am I?): Identity Explorations of Arab Muslim American Children - Presenting Author: Chin Reyes, Yale University; Mona M. Amer, The American University in Cairo; Pia Rebello Britto, Yale University; Nancy Shemrah Fallon, Yale Univ Schl of Medicine

• The Association between Religious support, Family support, Acculturation and Religious Identity in Arab American adolescents - Presenting Author: Sawssan Ahmed, California State University, Fullerton

• Diversity in Identity among Young Adult Muslim Americans - Presenting Author: Kristine J. Ajrouch, Eastern Mich Univ