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. 2017 Jul;23(3):348-361.
doi: 10.1037/cdp0000129. Epub 2017 Feb 16.

Personal and cultural identity development in recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents: Links with psychosocial functioning

Alan Meca  1 , Raha F Sabet  1 , Colleen M Farrelly  1 , Cynthia G Benitez  2 , Seth J Schwartz  1 , Melinda Gonzales-Backen  3 , Elma I Lorenzo-Blanco  4 , Jennifer B Unger  5 , Byron L Zamboanga  6 , Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati  5 , Simona Picariello  7 , Sabrina E Des Rosiers  8 , Daniel W Soto  5 , Monica Pattarroyo  5 , Juan A Villamar  9 , Karina M Lizzi  10
Affiliations

Personal and cultural identity development in recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents: Links with psychosocial functioning

Alan Meca et al. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2017 Jul.

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined directionality between personal (i.e., coherence and confusion) and cultural identity (i.e., ethnic and U.S.) as well as their additive effects on psychosocial functioning in a sample of recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents.

Method: The sample consisted of 302 recent (<5 years) immigrant Hispanic adolescents (53% boys; Mage = 14.51 years at baseline; SD = .88 years) from Miami and Los Angeles who participated in a longitudinal study.

Results: Results indicated a bidirectional relationship between personal identity coherence and both ethnic and U.S. identity. Ethnic and U.S. affirmation/commitment (A/C) positively and indirectly predicted optimism and negatively predicted rule breaking and aggression through coherence. However, confusion predicted lower self-esteem and optimism and higher depressive symptoms, rule breaking, unprotected sex, and cigarette use. Results further indicated significant site differences. In Los Angeles (but not Miami), ethnic A/C also negatively predicted confusion.

Conclusion: Given the direct effects of coherence and confusion on nearly every outcome, it may be beneficial for interventions to target personal identity. However, in contexts such as Los Angeles, which has at least some ambivalence toward recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents, it may be more beneficial for interventions to also target cultural identity to reduce confusion and thus promote positive development. (PsycINFO Database Record

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of Stationarity Constraints
Figure 2
Figure 2. Personal and Cultural Identity Cross-Lagged Model and the Effects on Psychosocial Functioning
Note. With the exception of categorical outcomes (i.e., cigarette use, alcohol use, and unprotected sex), which are Odds Ratio, all estimates are standardized regression coefficients. Parameter values from Time 1 to Time 2 and Time 2 to Time 3 are identical as a result of the stationarity constraints imposed in Step 1. For simplicity we have excluded 1) the autoregressive paths and 2) Time 1 controls.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Site-Specific Findings for Miami
Note. With the exception of categorical outcomes (i.e., cigarette use, alcohol use, and unprotected sex), which are Odds Ratio, all estimates are standardized regression coefficients. Parameter values from Time 1 to Time 2 and Time 2 to Time 3 are identical as a result of the stationarity constraints imposed in Step 1. For simplicity we have excluded 1) the autoregressive paths and 2) Time 1 controls. Paths in bold represent paths unique to this particular context while dashed paths are consistent across both sites.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Site-Specific Findings for LA
Note. With the exception of categorical outcomes (i.e., cigarette use, alcohol use, and unprotected sex), which are Odds Ratio, all estimates are standardized regression coefficients. Parameter values from Time 1 to Time 2 and Time 2 to Time 3 are identical as a result of the stationarity constraints imposed in Step 1. For simplicity we have excluded 1) the autoregressive paths and 2) Time 1 controls. Paths in bold represent paths unique to this particular context while dashed paths are consistent across both sites.
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