Racial-ethnic identity in modern Ireland : variation and influence on psychological wellbeing
Authors
Akeem, Taiwo
Issue Date
2012
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
There is lack of empirical psychological research on racial-ethnic identity and its relationship with psychological wellbeing in Ireland. The current study explores the relationship between racial-ethnic identity score using the Multi-Group Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) and psychological wellbeing using the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and the Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale (RSE). 184 people, who included Irish and non-Irish, participated in the study using random and snowball sampling methods. No significant relationship was observed between the participants on both racial-ethnic identity scores and self-esteem scores, and racial-ethnic identity scores and self-efficacy scores. Differences in racial-ethnic identity scores were examined according to gender, age and length of stay in Ireland. There was no gender difference in racialethnic identity score, older participants scored less on the MEIM, and although not significant, a trend was observed showing a negative correlation between amount of time spent in the country and MEIM score. Finally, the majority ethnic group in this study (white Irish) scored significantly lower than all the minority ethnic groups put together. Results suggest that development of a racial-ethnic identity is independent of self-esteem and self-efficacy, and also that ethnicity is more salient for younger participants, minority ethnic groups and newly immigrated participants. Author keywords: Ethnic identity, self-esteem, sel-efficacy, gender, age, ethnicity, race, racial-ethnic identity