Multiracial identity linked to better social and personal well-being

Washington, Feb 11 (ANI): Multiracial identity is associated with better social and personal well-being, according to a new study.

For the study, Kevin Binning, Ph.D., Miguel Unzueta, Ph.D., Yuen Huo, Ph.D., and Ludwin Molina, Ph.D., surveyed roughly 180 high school students to see how they were doing in school and how they felt in general, were they experiencing stress, isolation, etc.

The study compared multiracial students who reported being from a single racial or ethnic group with multiracial students who reported they were from various racial and ethnic groups.

On several indicators, students who reported they were from multiple groups were more engaged in school and felt better than those who reported they were from a single group.

Results suggest there may be a positive link between the tendency to embrace a multiracial identity and social and personal well-being.

"The population of multiracial individuals is currently large and is likely to grow over time," the authors said.

"Our study provides preliminary evidence that encouraging such individuals to embrace their multiracial identity may yield positive results not only for them, but possibly for society more generally," they added.

This study is published in the March 2009 issue of the Journal of Social Issues. (ANI)