California Center for Population Research

The role of ethnic identity in adolescents’ family processes was examined among ninth graders from Latin American, Asian, and European backgrounds. Stronger ethnic affirmation and exploration were associated with family processes across a variety of indicators, but links with culturally-relevant processes such as family respect and obligation were stronger than links with dyadic cohesion with parents. Similarly, links between ethnic identity and time spent assisting the family on a daily basis were stronger than links between identity and time spent engaging in family leisure activities. Mediational analyses indicated that the greater sense of respect, obligation, and time spent assisting the family among adolescents with Latino and Asian backgrounds were due in part to their stronger ethnic identification. Longitudinal analyses suggest that identity and family processes continue to be linked throughout development.