Synthesizing information on self identity

Identity Portfolio 3.3: Synthesizing Information

In these six studies on self esteem there were two common themes between them including the role social identity and psychological factors. Social identity plays a crucial part in shaping one’s concept of self worth and can either positively or negatively influence their self esteem in ways such as a sense of belonging, validation, and social hierarchy. In the study by Wantchekon et al. they discuss the involvement of ethnic-racial identity and how identifying with these social groups can provide a positive sense of belonging or pride, but how in marginalized communities it can be more complex when faced with discrimination possibly making one feel inferior. Wantchekon et al. also discuss how psychological factors like attitudes towards identity affect self esteem. When having a positive attitude towards ethnic-racial identity can provide psychological security, having a negative attitude can cause things like internalized racism. In the study by Hoffman and Schacter examine how the transition to High School is an important moment for adolescence discovery of self identity. During this transition, adolescents are gaining more responsibilities, shaping their values, and making important decisions.This puts their self esteem at risk for either positive or negative influence. Also in this study they examine the use of psychological tools like self-affirmation coping mechanisms on self esteem. The use of these strategies in schools could improve the students’ sense of worth, confidence, and self esteem. In another study by Gao et al. they look at the relationship between gender identity with transgender identifying youth and self esteem. The study states that self-concept clarity, a clear understanding of themselves, has a direct correlation to a higher self esteem. Similar to the past study by Hoffman and Schacter they discussed the importance of affirmation on gender identity to maintain clarity. When discussing psychological Impact they write about how transgender identifying youth experiencing cognitive distortion may view their identity as “flawed” (Gao et al., 2023) causing poor self esteem. The next study by Field et al. discusses how identity alignment between peers is a common occurrence in adolescence. Identity alignment relates back to identity theory which states that an individual’s self esteem and sense of worth is derived from their status in social groups. This also relates to the psychological factor aspect because the desire to be aligned with your peers identity is driven by the psychological need of social acceptance. When observing a high status peer receiving societal acceptance it is human nature motivating individuals to mimic or conform to these standards. A study on Asian-White adults by Emily Hunt examines multiple conflicting racial identities and their relation to self esteem. Hunt writes about how multiracial people have the unique experience of struggling to identify with one particular racial group or another. This struggle can lead to feeling isolated, disconnected, or inadequate. These negative internalized beliefs can cause lower levels of self esteem. Conflicting racial identities struggles push the feelings of psychological alienation. The final study by Ashley Matthews she discusses the importance of strong cultural identity in Black students. In order to build a strong cultural identity she emphasizes the use of Racial Affinity Groups to reinforce students’ self esteem. Surrounding students with positive social connections creates a positive self concept. This encourages their emotional and psychological connections to the school.

References
Field, N. H., Choukas, B. S., Giletta, M., Telzer, E. H., Cohen, G. L., & Prinstein, M. J. (2024).
Why adolescents conform to high‐status peers: Associations among conformity, identity
alignment, and self‐esteem. Child Development, 95(3), 879–894. https://doi-
org.proxy.longwood.edu/10.1111/cdev.14038
Gao, S. (Stan), Brandt, S. A., & Stults, C. B. (2023). Internalized transphobia and self-concept
clarity among transgender and gender-nonconforming young adults: Characteristics,
associations, and the mediating role of self-esteem. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and
Gender Diversity. https://doi-org.proxy.longwood.edu/10.1037/sgd0000691
Hoffman, A. J., & Schacter, H. L. (2024). The promise of an identity-based self-affirmation
intervention in protecting against self-esteem declines at the high school transition.
Developmental Psychology, 60(10), 1842–1854. https://doi-
org.proxy.longwood.edu/10.1037/dev0001789
Hunt, E. (2024). Asian but never Asian enough: Racial identity invalidation, internalized racial
oppression, racial socialization, and self-esteem in Asian-White emerging adults
[ProQuest Information & Learning]. In Dissertation Abstracts International Section A:
Humanities and Social Sciences (Vol. 85, Issue 3–A).
Mathews, A. (2024). An exploratory study on the impact of cultural identity racial affinity
groups on self-esteem, self-efficacy, and school belonging among Black elementary
school youth [ProQuest Information & Learning]. In Dissertation Abstracts International
Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences (Vol. 85, Issue 11–A)
Wantchekon, K. A., McDermott, E. R., Jones, S. M., Satterthwaite-Freiman, M., Baldeh, M.,
Rivas-Drake, D., & Umaña-Taylor, A. J. (2023). The role of ethnic-racial identity and self-esteem in intergroup contact attitudes. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 52(11),
2243–2260. https://doi-org.proxy.longwood.edu/10.1007/s10964-023-01819-1

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