Ethnic Identity in Second­ (Nisei), Third­ (Sansei), and Fourth­ (Yonsei) Generation Japanese­Americans in Hawaii.

PURPOSE. The present investigation tested the linear hypothesis of generational assimilation/acculturation among second (Nisei), third (Sansei) and fourth (Yonsei) generations of Japanese­Americans in Hawaii. METHODOLOGY. Investigators assessed ethnic identity using the Ethnic Identity Questionnaire (EIQ), a widely studied instrument especially designed for use with Japanese ancestral populations. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS. Results indicated that when holding gender constant, fourth-generation (Yonsei) Japanese­Americans residing in Hawaii evidenced no differences from third-generation (Sansei) Japanese­Americans in the extent of their ethnic identity with traditional Japanese culture as measured by the Ethnic Identity Questionnaire (EIQ). This finding can be contrasted to previous results comparing first (Issei), second (Nisei), and third (Sansei) generations of Japanese-Americans in which the different generations demonstrated a linear progression toward reduced identification with Japanese culture. When gender by generation relationships were analyzed using a two (male versus female) by three (Nisei, Sansei, Yonsei) cell analysis of variance, gender­generation inter-relationships were found, suggesting ethnic identity is complexly determined by gender variables. CONCLUSIONS. Ethnic identity appears to be a function of local, national, and even international factors. Simple linear assimilation hypotheses do not capture the complexity of the ethnic identification process. This is the first evidence of an attenuation in the progressive reduction of ethnic identification with Japanese culture among Japanese-Americans living in Hawaii across the generations. Efforts must be made to study acculturation within specific behavioral domains and contexts, and to control for generation, age and historical variables. RELEVANCE TO ASIAN-AMERICAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER POPULATIONS. This article adds to our understanding of assimilation/acculturation processes among Japanese­Americans and raises questions about this process for other recent Asian immigrant groups. KEY WORDS. Ethnic Identity, Japanese-Amercans, Acculturation, Assimilation.