Public Ethnic Regard and Perceived Socioeconomic Stratification: Association with Well-Being Among Dominican and Black American Youth

• NCJ Number: 225958
• Journal: Journal of Early Adolescence Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2009 Pages: 122-141
• Author(s): Deborah Rivas-Drake; Diane Hughes; Niobe Way
• Date Published: February 2009
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For related articles see NCJ-225953-57, and NCJ-225959

Annotation

This study investigated early adolescents’ perceptions of public regard for their ethnic group and perceptions of the extent in which opportunity was differentiated by their socioeconomic background.

Abstract

Results found that for all youth, more positive public ethnic regard was associated with fewer somatic symptoms, whereas more perceived socioeconomic stratification was associated with more somatic symptoms. For Black youth, in contrast to Dominican youth, lower public regard was associated with higher self-esteem among those who perceived more socioeconomic stratification. The findings suggest that perceived minority status has implications for psychological well-being among early adolescent Dominican youth. Further examination should continue to study Dominicans’ own constructions of minority status throughout adolescence to identify the processes and long-term consequences of stratification as they navigate diverse social systems in the United States. Data were collected from 103 Dominican and 129 Black youth in sixth and seventh grade from 6 ethnically diverse schools. Tables, figure, and references