Self referent and self-esteem of adolescents of Mexican descent.

Abstract

Research asserts that the selection of an ethnic label can have important implications for the self-esteem of the members of the ethnic group in question. Several studies have investigated the ethnic labels (self referents) selected by persons of Mexican descent, but none have investigated the relationship between the selection of a particular ethnic self referent and self-esteem. The purpose of this study was to determine if the choice of ethnic self referent (Latino, Mexican American, Chicano, Hispanic, Mexicano) and generational status (first, second, third generation) was related to self-esteem as measured by the Culture-Free SelfEsteem Inventory Form AD (SEI-Form AD). Participants were drawn from formal and informal youth groups throughout the Austin, Texas metropolitan area. Individual participants had a Spanish surname and were 14 to 20 years of age. Results showed no significant relationship between ethnic self referent, generational status, and SEI-Form AD raw scores. A significant relationship was found between generational status and ethnic self referent. First generation chose the ethnic self referents Mexicano and Mexican American only. Second generation chose the ethnic self referents Hispanic, Mexican American, and Chicano only. Third generation chose among all the ethnic self referents with Hispanic and Mexican American being their first and second choices. Generational status is associated with a preferred ethnic self referent as reported in prior research, but the top ethnic self referents selected by second and third generations has changed.