The role of cultural identity clarity for self-concept clarity, self-esteem, and subjective well-being.
Knowing oneself and experiencing oneself as clearly defined has been linked to positive self-esteem and psychological well-being; however, this association has been tested only at the level of personal identity. The authors propose that a clear cultural identity provides the individual with a clear prototype with which to engage the processes necessary to construct a clear personal identity and, by extension, to achieve self-esteem and well-being. For samples of undergraduate students, Anglophone Quebecers, Francophone Québécois, Chinese North Americans, and Aboriginal Canadians, cultural identity clarity was positively related to self-concept clarity, self-esteem, and markers of subjective well-being. The relationship between cultural identity clarity and both self-esteem and well-being was consistently mediated by self-concept clarity. Interventions designed to clarify cultural identity might have psychological benefits for individuals facing cultural identity challenges.
University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. esther.usborne@mail.mcgill.ca
Esther
E
Usborne
Donald M
DM
Taylor
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011792:Quebec; D012649:Self Concept; D012933:Social Identification; D055815:Young Adult