The relationship of ethnic identity and ego identity status among adolescents and young adults

• Published in: International journal of intercultural relations Vol. 24; no. 6; pp. 777 - 790
• Main Authors: Branch, Curtis W, Tayal, Priti, Triplett, Carla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Brunswick, N.J Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2000; Transaction Periodicals Consortium
• Subjects: Adolescents; Adults; Age Differences; Ego development; Ego identity status; Ethnic Identity; Ethnicity; New York City, New York; Northeastern USA; Racial Differences; Self Concept; Sex Differences; USA; Young Adults; Ethnic identity; Adults; Adolescents; Ego identity status
• ISSN: 0147-1767; 1873-7552
• DOI: 10.1016/S0147-1767(00)00031-6

A multi-ethnic sample of 248, ages 13–26, was used to examine the effects of age, gender, and ethnic group membership on ethnic identity and ego identity scores. Subjects were recruited from college and public schools in a large northeastern metropolitan area. The multigroup ethnic identity measure (MEIM) was used to assess ethnic identity and ego identity status was measured by the extended objective measure of ego identity status (EOMEIS). An age by ethnic group design was employed. Consistent findings of significant ethnic group differences in levels of ethnic identity were observed. Age and ethnic group were found to contribute differently to ethnic identity and ego identity status. The relationship between ethnic identity and ego identity status was found to be pronounced among subjects of color but not as dramatic as hypothesized.