Final answer:
Racial identity impacts adolescent development in both positive and negative ways. Positive racial socialization can improve self-esteem and self-concept, while discrimination can negatively affect mental and physical health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of Racial Identity on Adolescent Development
According to the textbook, having race as a central part of one's identity has varying impacts on adolescent development. Racial socialization leads to the teaching of positive aspects of their in-group by caregivers and is often seen as leading to a positive influence on self-esteem in ethnic minority adolescents. For instance, studies by Neblett et al. (2009) showed that African American parents' messages about race served as precursors to positive racial identity. However, the role of race in an individual's identity changes during development. Research like that by Rogers and Meltzoff (2017) indicates that for younger children, gender identity may be more significant than racial identity. Adolescents, on the other hand, are in the process of exploring and solidifying their identities, with race potentially playing a more central role compared to childhood.Yet, it is essential to consider the negative impacts as well. Discrimination and prejudice are significant stressors that can lead to negative outcomes in both physical and mental health. While positive racial socialization can bolster self-concept and contribute to healthy psychosocial , facing discrimination can lead to stress and poor health outcomes, as noted by Pascoe & Smart Richman (2009) and Vines et al. (2017). In conclusion, while the development of a positive racial identity can be beneficial to self-esteem and self-concept, the experience of discrimination related to racial identity can negatively impact mental and physical health. This indicates a complex interplay between the benefits of positive racial socialization and the harmful effects of discrimination on adolescents’ development.