Racial and/or Ethnic Identity Formation of Indian/European American Biracial Individuals

Researchers have explored the process of racial and/or ethnic identity development for biracial individuals of mixed African, Asian, and European ancestry, resulting in the proliferation of two major categories of models, Linear and Ecological. To date, certain biracial populations have been overlooked. The current study focused on racial and/or ethnic identity development with individuals of Indian/European American mixed heritage. Utilizing a qualitative research design, interviews were conducted with 10 Indian/European American mixed heritage individuals between the ages of 18 and 32. Experiences during childhood, adolescence and early adulthood were addressed. Rather than a single identity resolution, the participants' histories revealed four, generally non-converging domains of identification related to race/ethnicity. The four domains of identification were ""Internal,"" ""Cultural Self-Assessment,"" ""Verbal,"" and ""Written."" Within these four domains participants utilized various racial and/or ethnic language to describe their identifications. In childhood, most identifications were European American, with a few individuals beginning to make transitions to other identifications in adolescence. In early adulthood, Mixed Heritage identifications dominated. Several factors relevant to racial and/or ethnic identity development similar to those reported for other types of biracial populations were found to be salient, while other factors appeared unique to the current sample. Although participants in the current study described a common set of factors contributing to identity development, the mechanisms through which these factors impacted participants' identifications were distinct. Finally, the current investigation yielded support for some aspects of the Linear and Ecological models, but neither perspective adequately addresses what is occurring with this sample