Olivia S Maldonado, Psy.D.
Incoming Class of 2007
Internship: Queens Children's Psychiatric Center (QCPC)
September 2012 Conferral
The Development of Racial Identity in Biracial and Multiracial Individuals: A Qualitative Study
Chair: Jill Rathus, Ph.D.
With the growing number of bi- and multiracial individuals in the United States, it is increasingly important to focus on racial identity development. This concept is defined as “the extent to which an individual develops a sense of who he or she is racially, based on a process of exploration and commitment” (Phinney, 1990). Previous research has identified unique challenges facing mixed-race individuals, including unwanted attention, feelings of racial ambiguity and confusion, and fears of rejection from society. The current study utilized a narrative framework to increase understanding of characteristics and challenges of bi- and multiracial individuals. A qualitative research methodology, developed by Auerbach and Silverstein (2003), was employed. In a focus group format, participants were asked to describe their experiences as bi- or multiracial individuals living in America. Subjects were recruited until theoretical saturation was achieved. The group interviews provided first-hand narratives regarding the course of realization, daily functioning, and eventual acceptance of mixed-race background. Multiple factors were found to be influential in the formation of racial identity, including: family of origin, personal exposure to racism, physical appearance, and environmental and societal influences. Two theoretical frameworks were used to inform the narrative that emerged from the group interviews. The Biracial Identity Development Model and Social Identity Theory were applied in a progressive, stage based process to describe racial identity development, as it pertains to a mixed-race population. Recommendations were developed to encourage further exploration of risk and protective factors of having a bi- and multiracial background, to define more appropriate therapeutic services, and to improve overall understanding of the complex mixed-race population.