Cultural Homelessness, Self-Esteem, and Skin Color Satisfaction Among Latinxs

This study explored feelings of cultural homelessness, self-esteem, and skin color satisfaction among Latinxs. A close interest was placed in examining responses of participants who identified as racially Black or Afro-Latinx. Through an electronic survey, the study aimed to answer the four research questions: (1) Is there a correlation between cultural homelessness, self-esteem, and skin color satisfaction; (2) Do participants of different self-perceived skin colors differ in self-esteem, cultural homelessness, and skin color satisfaction; (3) Does age moderate the relationship between self-perceived skin color and self-esteem; and (4) Does age moderate the relationship between self-perceived skin color and cultural homelessness. Through a qualitative lens, the study was also interested in attitudes and preferences related to participants’ race, ethnicity, and self-perceived skin color. In the final sample of 654, analyses revealed: (1) a statistically significant relationship among the primary variables; (2) a statistically significant difference among the three skin colors for skin color satisfaction; and (3) participants who reported having self-perceived dark skin color endorsed higher rates of skin color satisfaction compared to those with self-perceived light and medium skin color. These results may imply that (1) group-belonging, psychological well-being, and self-perception are intertwined experiences that should be taken into consideration, particularly in the Latinx collectivistic culture; (2) that Black Latinxs consistently endorse terms that acknowledge their African heritage, such as Afro-Latinx; and (3) individuals of darker skin have the ability to establish and maintain a positive sense of self even when faced with social factors, such as colorism and racism