Ethnic and Racial Identity and Adolescent Well-Being

Internalization symptoms, perceived discrimination, and ethnic identity in indigenous Sami and non-Sami youth in Arctic Norway

“…Members of ethnic minority groups are more likely to be confronted with negative attitudes and behaviors than those from the majority group (Harris et al 2006(Harris et al , 2007. Recent studies in adolescent samples suggest that ethnic discrimination has a negative impact on the psychological health of adolescents (Shrake and Rhee 2004, Sellers et al 2006, Montgomery and Foldspang 2007, Wakefield and Hudley 2007, Neblett et al 2008. The relationship between discrimination and psychological problems has previously not been studied in Sami adolescent samples.…”

“…Research has documented that a strong ethnic identity is related to fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, to a more positive overall self-concept (Yasui et al 2004), and it protects adolescents from a variety of maladaptive behaviors and psychological distress (Mossakowski 2003, Rieckmann et al 2004, Shrake and Rhee 2004, Sellers et al 2006, Umañ a-Taylor and Updegraff 2007, Wakefield and Hudley 2007, Walker et al 2008. However, in one study, Kvernmo and Heyerdahl (2003) found that strong ethnic identity was in fact associated with more externalizing problems for Sami females in a Sami-dominated context and with internalizing problems for Sami males in one of the Norwegian-dominated contexts (in the other contexts there was no association between ethnic identity and problems).…”

South African, urban youth narratives: resilience within community

“…Community connectedness provides members with a collective process through which to make sense of their group identity and associated negative experiences. Therefore, it may also serve to lessen the negative effects of adverse events; providing a pathway to resiliency and positive outcomes (DiFulvio, 2011; Wakefield & Hudley, 2007). Community hope links wellbeing with social structures and illustrates the ability to remain optimistic in the face of adversity, while envisioning a different future for the community (Ahmed, et al, 2004).…”

No Longer Silent: An Autobiographical/Biographical Exploration of a School Desegregation Experience

“…Wakefield and Hudley (2007) defined this as ''the sense of belonging that an adolescent feels toward a racial or ethnic group as well as the significance and qualitative meaning that the adolescent assigns to the group membership'' (p. 148). For African Americans and other minorities, part of that identity involves making some determination of what being a member of a certain racial or ethnic group means to them (Wakefield and Hudley 2007). Adolescents are influenced by the messages they receive about themselves from people within their environments including teachers, and peers.…”