Ethnic Identity and Latino Youth: The Current State of the Research

Abstract

What is race? What is ethnicity? Although almost everyone has at least a basic understanding of what these concepts mean, the research on ethnic identity and Latino youth is relatively young making it hard to make consistent inferences on the topic and its impact. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the theoretical frameworks, definitions, and measurements used to explain ethnic identity development and to look at which environmental factors are currently being studied in relation to this concept. A systematic analysis of the literature was performed to assess how Latino ethnic identity was conceptualized and measured and whether any theoretical frameworks were used to center the concept. In addition, this study also looked at which environmental variables were currently being studied in relation to ethnic identity. The results showed that there was little agreement on how to conceptualize, theorize, and measure ethnic identity. The results revealed three major types of definitions, 13 theories, and 17 measures. The study found little to no mention of environmental variables (e.g., community and school) study in relation to ethnic identity development. The results suggest that the inconsistencies in measurements, conceptualization and how ethnic identity is defined affect study results and limit the interpretations drawn from them.