Toward the Theoretical Measurement of Ethnic Identity

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric qualities of two theoretical subscales of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM), Ethnic Identity Exploration and Ethnic Identity Commitment, that have been supported in research with early adolescent samples. The study was conducted to further validate the MEIM as a two-factor measure of the theoretical constructs of ethnic identity exploration and ethnic identity commitment. This study was conducted with 134 African American girls residing in a southeastern city. Psychometric support was found for the use of a subset of items derived from the MEIM that assesses the constructs of ethnic identity exploration and ethnic identity commitment. Discussion regarding the psychometric quality of the two-factor model is presented.