Perceived Benefits and Challenges of a Multiethnic-Racial Identity: Insight From Adults With Mixed Heritage. Issue 4 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soliz, Jordan; Cronan, Sierra; Bergquist, Gretchen; Nuru, Audra K.; Rittenour, Christine E.
• Is Part Of: Identity. Volume 17:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 267
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: Biracial -- ethnicity -- multiethnic -- race; Personality development -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Identity (Psychology) -- Periodicals; 155.2
• DOI: 10.1080/15283488.2017.1379907
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1528-3488

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this inquiry was to explore the lived experiences of multiethnic-racial individuals (i.e., individuals with parents from different ethnic-racial groups). In-depth interviews were conducted with 29 adults from the United States with mixed ethnic-racial backgrounds ranging in age from 18 to 52 (female n = 20, male n = 9). We identified a number of themes related to perceived benefits (e.g., pluralistic world views, stronger sense of self) and challenges (e.g., identity tensions, communal concerns) of having a mixed heritage. Findings are discussed in terms of four considerations for ethnic-racial identity of individuals with mixed ethnic-racial backgrounds: emphasizing constellations of experiences, life-span and developmental considerations of identity, (mixed) ethnic-racial identity as constituted in interactions, and the potential promise of pluralistic world views.