For adolescents of color, the search for an identity includes exploring the meanings of their ethnic group membership in the context of White mainstream society. Theory has described ethnic identity development as a process characterized by a period of exploration, followed by commitment. However, little longitudinal research has attempted to test this theoretical model. In addition, most research has not distinguished separate dimensions (cognitive, affective) of ethnic identity. This study explored levels and developmental trajectories of two key dimensions of ethnic identity, exploration and affirmation and belonging, among a sample of 184 low-income ethnic and racial minority urban adolescents (48% male, 28.3% Black, 53.3% Latino, and 18.5% Asian American) over the course of five years. In addition, the study assessed the relationship between these two dimensions of ethnic identity and self-esteem. Consistent with developmental theory, individual growth modeling identified an average curvilinear trajectory of ethnic identity exploration characterized by a peak in the mid to late high school years, followed by a subsequent decrease. However, gender and ethnicity moderated this pattern, and perceived discrimination by peers was related to heightened levels of exploration. For example, while most adolescents showed a leveling off of exploration towards the end of high school, Black males dramatically increased their exploration, possibly due to increasing perceptions of group discrimination directed against young Black males. No average growth pattern was detected in affirmation and belonging, suggesting that developmental change in adolescence may primarily occur in cognitive dimensions, not in affective dimensions of ethnic identity. However, Chinese American adolescents displayed overall lower levels of affirmation and belonging than their Black and Latino peers, possibly due to their marginalized role in their school. Taken together, these findings highlight the distinctness of dimensions of ethnic identity and the importance of contextualizing ethnic identity development. Both ethnic identity exploration and affirmation and belonging contributed significantly to self-esteem. This finding was robust across ethnicity, gender, and immigrant status, suggesting that adolescents from diverse backgrounds benefit from higher levels of ethnic identity.
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