Ethnic Identity in an American White Minority Group

• Published in: Identity (Mahwah, N.J.) Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 143 - 158
• Main Authors: Davey, Maureen, Goettler Eaker, Dawn, Stone Fish, Linda, Klock, Kathryn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc 01.04.2003
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Adolescents; Age Differences; Ethnic Identity; Family Relations; Jewish Americans; Minority Groups; Peer Relations; Self Concept; Social Competence
• ISSN: 1528-3488; 1532-706X
• DOI: 10.1207/s1532706xid030204

To examine ethnic identity as a predictor of adolescent self-competence and possible differences in ethnic identity according to age in an American White minority ethnic group, we surveyed 63 Jewish teenagers (ages 11-18) living in a Jewish nondominant neighborhood context in a large southeastern metropolitan area in the United States. Participants completed measures of ethnic identity, self-competence, demographic variables, and peer and family relationships. Results indicate that the older Jewish teenagers (15 and older) have a weaker ethnic identification than the younger Jewish teenagers (14 and under). At all ages, teenagers with stronger ethnic identification reported greater scholastic self-competence. Additionally, family or peer variables predicted 4 of the 5 dimensions of self-competence examined (social acceptance, physical appearance, close friendship, and self-worth), suggesting the importance of other influences on self-competence like the quality of family and peer relationships.