Simultaneously salient Chinese and American identities: An experience sampling study of self-complexity, context, and positive mood among Chinese young adults

Experience sampling data were collected from Chinese college students randomly prompted 6 times a day for 1 week to respond to questions about their American and Chinese identities, context, and mood. Applying a self-complexity framework to examine the psychological relevance of more than 1 identity, the author compared context and mood in situations in which American and Chinese identities were simultaneously salient with situations in which they were not. Being with family was associated with an increased likelihood of having simultaneously salient American and Chinese identities. However, across contexts, participants reporting a strong stable American identity were more likely to report simultaneously salient American and Chinese identities. Finally, simultaneously salient American and Chinese identities were associated with more positive mood, and this association was stronger for students reporting a strong stable Chinese identity but weaker for students reporting a strong stable American identity