A person-centered analysis of ethnic-racial socialization patterns and their identity correlates in multiracial college students.

OBJECTIVES

Little is understood about how Multiracial individuals are socialized around race and ethnicity, and how these socialization messages are related to ethnic-racial identity development.

METHOD

This study utilizes a person-centered framework with a diverse sample of 286 Multiracial college students to examine the patterns of ethnic-racial socialization messages individuals received from their primary caregiver.

RESULTS

A latent profile analysis of caregivers' socialization messages produced a four-profile solution: (socialization messages with average frequency), (frequent cultural socialization and preparation for bias geared toward minority group membership), (frequent promotion of mistrust messages), and (all socialization messages at low frequency). Overall, profile differences were evident with respect to ethnic-racial identity endorsement, where participants in the profile endorsed the greatest levels of ethnic/racial exploration. In addition, individuals in the profile also endorsed higher levels of ethnic/racial identity resolution and affirmation than the and profile. Individuals in the profile endorsed greater levels of identity conflict than the profile.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study provides evidence that the pattern of socialization messages Multiracial participants received growing up impact their ethnic-racial identity endorsement. Results highlight the need for continued quantitative and person-centered work when studying socialization and identity in Multiracials. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).