What is it about?
Racial, ethnic, and cultural identity development are increasingly recognized as integral to the health and well-being of racially minoritized populations. The study highlights a significant gap in the assessment of ethnic and cultural identity, showing that current measurement tools might not be suitable or may need careful interpretation for Multiracial individuals.
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Why is it important?
This article highlights that some tools used to assess ethnic identity are inadequate in one of the fastest growing demographics, Multiracial/ethnic people. To precisely characterize ethnic identify in Multiracial/ethnic people in research and practice, scale developers will need to broaden their approach to assessing ethnic identity.
Perspectives
Multiracial/ethnic communities are often excluded and/or omitted from routine public health data systems, research, and practice. When a population is made invisible within data systems, there can be major implications for that population's health and the resources that are provided to them. As a member of this population, I hope this research helps move public health research and practice to a place where we better understand the health status, experiences, and perceptions of multiracial and multi-ethnic people, and ultimately create a more equitable future for all people.
Jaimie Shaff
Rand Corporation
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Examination of the psychometric properties of the Ethnic Identity Scale (EIS) and Multicultural Identity Integration Scale (MULTIIS) in a multiracial population in the United States., Journal of Counseling Psychology, September 2024, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/cou0000746.
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Resources
Mental health and Multiracial/ethnic adults in the United States: a mixed methods participatory action investigation
A rapidly growing racial/ethnic group in the U.S., Multiracial and multiethnic populations are often excluded or underrepresented in standard public health research and practice, and little is known about their mental health or associated risk and protective factors. The aims of this study are to (1) illuminate the mental health landscape of Multiracial and multiethnic adults in the U.S., emphasizing the disparities and unique challenges they face, (2) highlight the impact of data erasure, exclusion, and underrepresentation in public health systems, urging for more inclusive methodologies, and (3) advocate for a proactive shift in public health research and practice, integrating J-DEI principles, to bridge critical knowledge gaps and drive mental health equity.
5 Questions For… Jaimie Shaff
This interview is part of our 5 Questions For…Series, where we learn about the ways RWJF’s Pioneering Ideas for an Equitable Future grantees are helping us get to a healthier tomorrow — today.
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