Ethnic-Racial Identity Development in Adolescents and Young Adults

This chapter seeks to bridge the gap between the research on ethnic-racial identity development and clinical practice by demonstrating how ethnic-racial identity development may be a salient aspect of individual patient care. We present a general theoretical definition of ethnic-racial identity along with examples of how ethnic-racial identity may be relevant in clinical settings. We highlight the impact of ethnic-racial identity on the adjustment and well-being of adolescents and young adults. We also present an overview of interventions that putatively promote ethnic-racial development. We conclude by providing recommendations on how to best integrate ethnic-racial identity considerations in clinical settings.