The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure

TLDR

Ethnic identity is a key component of self‑concept, especially during adolescence, yet most research has focused on unique group elements, underscoring the need to study and compare ethnic identity and its correlates across diverse groups. This article introduces a questionnaire that captures ethnic identity elements common to all groups, enabling researchers to examine similarities and differences in identity and its correlates among youths from various ethnic backgrounds. The questionnaire was administered to 417 high‑school and 136 college students from ethnically diverse schools, and its relationship to demographic variables and self‑esteem was examined. Reliability was high, with Cronbach’s alpha of .81 in the high‑school sample and .90 in the college sample.

Abstract

Ethnic identity is an important component of the self-concept and, like other aspects of identity, can be particularly salient during adolescence. Most research on ethnic identity has focused on the unique elements that distinguish particular ethnic groups. However, it is important as well to study and compare ethnic identity and its correlates across groups. This article presents a questionnaire measure of ethnic identity based on the elements of ethnic identity that are common across groups, so that it can be used with all ethnic groups. The questionnaire was administered to 417 high school students and 136 college students from ethnically diverse schools. Reliability, assessed by Cronbach 's alpha, was .81 for the high school sample and .9Ofor the college sample. The relationship of ethnic identity to various demographic variables and to self-esteem was examined. The measure can be used to examine similarities and differences in ethnlic identity and its correlates among youths from different ethnic groups.