Forming a meaningful self-concept is one of the most challenging developmental tasks all youths face. This process may be particularly complex for youths of color, for whom the construction of an identity often includes grappling with the role of race and ethnicity. My research focuses on the development of ethnic identity with a particular focus on the context in which this development occurs. In particular, I am interested in how context influences variability in ethnic identity across days and situations. In addition, I also examine the implications of ethnic identity for psychological functioning among ethnic minorities.
Ethnic Identity and Mental Health
In order to understand the psychological functioning of ethnic minorities, psychologists have becoming increasingly interested in the link between ethnic identity and mental health outcomes. Using daily diary, experience sampling and longitudinal methods, my research examines this association in diversity samples of ethnic minorities throughout the developmental lifespan.
Yip, T., Seaton, E. K. & Sellers, R. M. (2006). African American racial identity across the lifespan: A cluster analysis of identity status, identity content and depression among adolescents, emerging adults and adults. Child Development, 77, 1504-1517.
Yip, T. (2005). Sources of situational variation in ethnic identity and psychological well-being: A Palm Pilot study of Chinese American students. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31 (2), 1603-1616.
Yip, T. & Cross, W. E. (2004). A daily diary study of mental health and community involvement for three Chinese American social identities. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 10 (4), 394-408.
Yip, T. & Fuligni, A. J. (2002). Daily variation in ethnic identity, ethnic behaviors, and psychological well-being among American adolescents of Chinese descent. Child Development, 73 (5), 1557-1572.
Fuligni, A. J., Yip, T., & Tseng, V. (2002). The impact of family obligations on the daily activities and psychological well-being of Chinese American adolescents. Child Development, 73 (1), 302-314.
Stressors and Mental Health among Ethnic Minorities
Ethnic minorities face everyday stressors as well as ethnic-specific stressors such as discrimination. It is important for psychologists to examine the mental health consequences of such stressors. In addition, recent research has begun to examine the association of ethnic identity with stress and mental health.
Kiang, L., Yip, T., Fuligni, A. J., Gonzales-Backen, M. & Witkow, M. (2006). Ethnic identity and daily psychological well-being of adolescents from Mexican and Chinese backgrounds. Child Development, 77, 1338-1350.
Shelton, J.N., Yip, T., Eccles, J., Chatman, C. M., Fuligni, A. J., & Wong, C. (2005). Ethnic identity as a buffer in psychological adjustment. In G. Downey, J. Eccles & C. M. Chatman (Eds.), Navigating the Future: Social Identity, Coping and Life Tasks . Russell Sage Foundation.
Gee, G. C., Spencer, M., Chen, J, Yip, T. & Takeuchi, D. (2007). The association between perceived discrimination and DSM-IV mental health disorders: A nationally representative study of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Social Science and Medicine, 64 (10), 1984-1996.
Kiang, L., Yip, T. & Fuligni, A. J. (in press). Multiple identity profiles and adjustment in ethnically diverse young adults. Journal of Research on Adolescence.
Cole, E. R., & Yip, T. (in press). Using Outgroup Comfort to Predict Black Students' College Experiences. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.
Methods Papers
Cranford, J. A., Shrout, P. E., Iida, M., Rafaeli, E., Yip, T. & Bolger, N. (2006). Ensuring Sensitivity to Process and Change: The Case of Mood Measures in Diary Studies. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32 (7), 917-929.
There are opportunities to become involved in ongoing projects in these areas of research and interested students are encouraged to contact me.
