M. Lysne et Gd. Levy, DIFFERENCES IN ETHNIC-IDENTITY IN NATIVE-AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS AS A FUNCTION OF SCHOOL CONTEXT, Journal of adolescent research, 12(3), 1997, pp. 372-388
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.