Role-based identity development in Latinx adolescents from immigrant families: The development of language broker role identity

• Main Authors: SIM, Lester, KIM, Su Yeong, VÉLEZ, Melissa M., SHEN, Yishan, ZHANG, Minyu
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2022
• Subjects: Adolescent; Identity development; Role identities; Latinx; Immigrant families; Language brokering; Family, Life Course, and Society; Multicultural Psychology; Social Psychology
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3727; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86426-2_8
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Identity research on adolescents from immigrant families focuses primarily on ethnic identities, yet other forms of social identities have been neglected in the literature. Specifically, the adoption of different roles can vary one’s self-concept and manifest in the construction of distinct role-based identities. We examine how parental ethnic identity and parenting can lead to the creation of the role identity of a “language broker” among Mexican-origin early adolescents who engage in translation for their English-limited parents. Further, we discuss how cultural values may influence the formulation of role identities and how possessing multiple identities can collectively contribute to adolescent identity development.