Poster #178 - Testing the Psychometric Properties of an Ethnic Identity Measure

• In Event: 2-110 - Poster Session 07
  In Poster Session: PS 07 Section - Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Context

Integrative Statement

Ethnic identity is defined as an individual’s identification with a group having similar cultural values, language, and traditions (Helms, 2007). It is conceptualized as a key component of identity development, similar to religious or political identity (Kroger & Marcia, 2011). Strong ethnic identity is important because it is positively associated with self-esteem, self-efficacy, and academic achievement (e.g., French & Chavez, 2010) and negatively associated with depressive symptoms (e.g., Yasui, Dorham, & Dishion, 2004).

Operationalizing and measuring ethnic identity has proved to be a challenge. Often, measures are developed based on just one ethnic group, and then modified for another group without adequate validation (e.g., Hughes & Johnson, 2001). These measures often have unknown or limited validity and generalizability. In an effort to create a measure that is valid for multiple ethnic groups, the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure was developed (Phinney & Ong, 1992) and subsequently modified and renamed as the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure – Revised (MEIM-R; Phinney & Ong, 2007). The MEIM-R is a six-item, two-factor (Exploration and Commitment), measure of ethnic identity. Still, to date there is insufficient evidence as to whether the measure is valid across ethnic groups.

The goal of the present study is to evaluate the factor structure, measurement invariance, and concurrent validity of the MEIM-R. To date, data from 562 individuals have been collected (73% female; MAge = 20.24 years, SD = 1.68; see Table 1). Data collection is ongoing, and expected to end in November 2018 with a total sample of 800 emerging adults (18-25 years old), that includes 200 participants in each ethnic group category. Participants come from six colleges and universities located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Measures include demographic questions, the MEIM-R, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and a measure of ethnic discrimination. The study is completed online, with a lottery for gift cards as incentive.

Preliminary confirmatory factor analysis, using an oblimin rotation, supports Phinney and Ong’s (2007) two-factor structure. Cronbach’s alphas and Average Inter-item Correlations (AIC) were calculated for the overall Ethnic Identity scale and the two subscales. These indices were analyzed for each ethnic group, and for the combined sample. These preliminary analyses indicate comparable and strong internal consistency for each ethnic group (see Table 2). Planned analyses with the complete dataset will evaluate the factor structure of the MEIM-R, including measurement invariance across the four ethnic groups. A multiple-sample confirmatory factor analysis with structured means will be utilized. We predict support for scalar invariance, indicating that the two factors of the MEIM-R are, indeed, being measured equivalently across ethnic groups.

Psychometric support for the MEIM-R will strengthen the body of research that links ethnic identity with psychosocial outcomes in emerging adults. A stronger body of research furthers the understanding of ethnic identity as a protective or risk factor, and therefore will aid culturally-informed research and interventions. Furthermore, the results of this study will provide evidence for identity theory that posits ethnic identity is a universal element of identity development that can be measured equivalently across groups.

Authors

• Rose Ashraf, Southern Methodist University
  Presenting Author

• George W Holden, Southern Methodist University
  Non-Presenting Author