DIFFERENCES IN ETHNIC-IDENTITY IN NATIVE-AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS AS A FUNCTION OF SCHOOL CONTEXT

Examined were differences in ethnic identity in 101 Native American ma le and female 9th and 12th graders. Native American adolescents attend ing a high school with a predominantly Native American student body de monstrated significantly greater ethnic identify exploration and commi tment than Native American adolescents from high schools with a predom inantly white student body. The 12th grade Native American adolescents from a high school with a predominantly Native American student body had greater ethnic identity commitment than 9th grade Native American adolescents from the same school. Also, 12th grade Native American ado lescents from a high school with a predominantly Native American stude nt body had greater ethnic identity commitment than 9th and 12th grade Native American adolescents from a high school with a predominantly W hite student body. Exploration and commitment appear to be important a spects of ethnic identity to Native American adolescents. Results high light the importance of school and community-based contexts on ethnic identity development in Native American adolescents.