The relationship between womanist identity attitudes, cultural identity, and acculturation to Asian American women's self-esteem

The current study examined the interrelationships among womanist identity, cultural identity, acculturation, and self-esteem in 74 Asian American women who are currently enrolled in or who have graduated from a college or university in the United States. It was hypothesized that Internalization attitudes, cultural identity, and acculturation would predict self-esteem among Asian American women. It was also hypothesized that cultural identity (Ethnic Identification) and acculturation would be negatively correlated with each other. Results of the simultaneous multiple regression analysis indicated that Internalization attitudes and cultural identity were both significant predictors of self-esteem. Asian American women with higher levels of Internalization attitudes had higher levels of self-esteem, consistent with Ossana, Helms, and Leonard's (1992) study. Asian American women with higher levels of Marginal attitudes had lower levels of self-esteem. Results, however, yielded no significant relationship between acculturation and self-esteem. A correlational analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between cultural identity (Ethnic Identification) and acculturation, confirming Lee's (1988) assertion that acculturation decreases cultural identity.Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance ServicesThesis (Ph. D.