Ethnic-Racial Socialization Messages in the Identity Development of Second-Generation Haitians

Abstract

This study utilized qualitative inquiry to investigate the role of ethnic-racial socialization messages on ethnic and racial identity development among second-generation Haitians. Nine participants, ranging in age from 15 to 26, took part in individual semistructured qualitative interviews. The data were reviewed for emergent themes, as well as themes present in the ethnic-racial socialization and identity literature. Participants reported receiving positive messages (i.e., Cultural Socialization, Mainstream Socialization, and Preparation for Bias messages) directed at their ethnic groups in the home context and negative messages (i.e., Promotion of Mistrust and discriminatory messages) about their racial group in the home, peer, and societal contexts. In addition, participants who received positive messages directed at their ethnic group reported engaging in identity exploration and endorsing a stable commitment to the identity. Conversely, participants who received negative messages directed at either their ethnic or racial identity reported little to no exploration and exhibited a less stable commitment to that identity. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Prospective Links Between Ethnic Socialization, Ethnic and American Identity, and Well-Being Among Asian-American Adolescents

“…However, the direction of the association between the promotion of mistrust and self-esteem was contrary to our hypotheses. Prior work has suggested that the promotion of mistrust constitutes a negative socialization message and encourages inter-ethnic hostility and other negative social and psychological outcomes (Caughy et al 2006;Huynh and Fuligni 2008;Joseph and Hunter 2011;Tran and Lee 2010). In fact, our data show that, at the bivariate level, the promotion of mistrust and preparation for bias messages indeed were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms; however, these associations were not statistically significant in our final, prospective model.…”

“…Although less explored in the current literature, some recent research on second-generation Haitians suggests that negative socialization messages, such as the promotion of mistrust (i.e., messages that encourage adolescents to be wary of other ethnicities), might hinder ethnic identity exploration, thereby intentionally or inadvertently alienating individuals from their own ethnicities and subsequent identity development (Joseph and Hunter 2011). Research examining the links between the promotion of mistrust messages and identity development specifically among Asian-Americans has not yet been established; however, based on prior research with other groups, we generally expected that the promotion of mistrust would be negatively related to adolescents' ethnic identity development.…”

“…The current literature also appears to be fairly unequivocal concerning the deleterious consequences of negative socialization messages, particularly the promotion of mistrust. These messages have been linked with decreased ethnic identity exploration, worsened academic performance and social competence, and increased externalizing behaviors (Caughy et al 2006;Huynh and Fuligni 2008;Joseph and Hunter 2011;Tran and Lee 2010). Some researchers focusing on ethnically diverse youth, including Asian-Americans, have hypothesized that the negative effects of these socialization messages are due to the fact that they merely encourage children to expect mistreatment from people of other ethnic groups, interpret interactions in ways which confirm this expectation, and fail to provide healthy, proactive suggestions in terms of how to handle these interactions, as preparation for bias messages often do (Huynh and Fuligni 2008;Tran and Lee 2010).…”

Ethnic–Racial Socialization in the Family: A Decade's Advance on Precursors and Outcomes

“…In terms of risk, some studies found that preparation for bias directly predicted greater maladjustment such as higher depressive symptoms (e.g., Liu & Lau, ; Nelson et al, ), whereas other studies found that it exacerbated the negative effect of stressors on adjustment (e.g., Banerjee, Rowley, & Johnson, ; Dotterer & James, ). In contrast, other studies found preparation for bias to be promotive for youth either because it was directly associated with indicators of positive youth outcomes (e.g., D'hondt, Eccles, Van Houtte, & Stevens, ; Joseph & Hunter, ; Sanchez, Smith, & Adams, ), it reduced the negative effects of risk on youth adjustment (e.g., Schires et al, ), or it enhanced the positive effects of other promotive factors on youth adjustment (e.g., Tran & Lee, ).…”

Latent Profiles of Discrimination and Socialization Predicting Ethnic Identity and Well‐Being Among Asian American Adolescents

“…Based on such existing, but limited, work, we expected that positive messages about one's ethnic background by way of cultural socialization would foster a strong sense of ethnic belonging and exploration. However, negative socialization messages, such as promotion of mistrust, would impede ethnic identity, perhaps by contributing to individuals feeling socially marginalized and alienated (Joseph & Hunter, ). In contrast, while preparation for bias might appear negative at the outset, such messages might be ultimately adaptive in communicating awareness of possible mistreatment and ways to cope with such realities (Hughes et al., ; Huynh & Fuligni, ).…”