Date of Award

8-27-2024

Publication Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Psychology

Keywords

culture;EDID;emerging adulthood;ethnic identity;peer contact;well-being

Supervisor

Rosanne Menna

Abstract

This study investigated the relation between ethnic identity and quality of life in a sample of Canadian emerging adults. Emerging adulthood is characterized as a period of change and exploration, particularly relevant to ethnic identity exploration (Arnett, 2000, 2004). This age group is applicable to developing ethnic identity in minoritized individuals. Ethnic identity plays a protective role and bolsters positive outcomes for young adults (Phinney et al., 1993; Sellers et al., 2006; Tajfel, 1981; Umaña-Taylor et al., 2002). However, the association between ethnic identity and how individuals perceive their lives holistically – according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO, 2012) definition of quality of life – has infrequently been evaluated, and when it has, authors often administer brief versions of the questionnaire (e.g., Adedeji et al., 2022). Further, the sociocultural factors underlying the association between ethnic identity and positive outcomes would benefit from further investigation. To fill this gap, the present study used an archival dataset from 2014-2015 consisting of 300 undergraduate students aged 17 to 25. The participants completed a questionnaire battery that assessed ethnic identity, quality of life, acculturation, generation status, perceived parental acculturation status, and peer contacts. Based on an analytic sample of 262 participants, findings underscored the significance of heritage cultural retention, mainstream cultural adoption, and perceived parental preservation for ethnic identity. Analyses also showed the importance of these factors, along with contact with same-ethnic and Canadian peers, for ethnic identity and well-being measures. Mediation analyses emphasized the importance of heritage cultural retention and same-ethnic peer contact for the protective role of ethnic identity for life satisfaction and integrated quality of life.

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