Examining the role of physical appearance in Latino adolescents' ethnic identity

• Published in: Journal of adolescence (London, England.) Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 151 - 162
• Main Authors: Gonzales-Backen, Melinda A, Umaña-Taylor, Adriana J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2011; Elsevier; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Attitudes; Adolescents; Biological and medical sciences; Body Image; Correlation; Cultural identity; Developmental psychology; Environmental Factors; Ethnic Identity; Ethnicity; Europe; Familial ethnic socialization; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hispanic Americans; Humans; Interpersonal Attraction; Latino adolescents; Male; Midwestern United States; Pediatrics; Physical appearance; Physical Characteristics; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Role; Self Concept; Skin; Social Identification; Socialization; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teenagers; United States; North America; America; Midwestern United States; Ethnic identity; Familial ethnic socialization; Latino adolescents; Physical appearance; Social environment; Human; Social group; Social belonging; Latinamerican; Ethnic group; Social development; Cultural environment; Minority; Adolescent; Socialization; Social identity
• ISSN: 0140-1971; 1095-9254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.01.002

Abstract Guided by ecological theory, the current study examined physical appearance as a moderator of the relation between familial ethnic socialization (FES) and ethnic identity among 167 Latino adolescents. Results indicated that FES was positively associated with ethnic identity exploration and resolution. Furthermore, as expected, physical appearance moderated the relation between FES and ethnic identity affirmation such that this relation was positive among adolescents who were rated as having a more Latino appearance, a less European appearance, and darker skin, and it was non-significant among adolescents with a less Latino appearance, a more European appearance, and lighter skin. Findings underscore the importance of considering within-group variation when studying ethnic identity. In addition, this study highlights the importance of examining ethnic identity as a multidimensional construct.