Presented By: Jasmine Abrams Summer Undergraduate Research Program University of Virginia
Young Women Leaders Program (YWLP) YWLP participants interact with girls and mentors from varied ethnic backgrounds. Ethnic identity serves as a protective factor for youth (Pugh & Bry, 2007; Brook & Pahl, 2005). However, little research has examined whether programs can indirectly influence ethnic identity.
This presentation explores whether interactions that occur within the program influences the ethnic identity of YWLP participants.
1) Do YWLP participants report greater ethnic identity from pre-to post-program than a randomized control group? 2) For girls who do make positive change, what program practices and interactions were concurrent with that change?
Young Women Leaders Program Mixed Methods Quantitative Sample: n=105 middle school girls Qualitative Sample: n= 23 (12 middle school girls and 11 college women) The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM; Phinney, 1992) was administered in the fall and spring to program participants and a control group. Based on positive changes in MEIM scores, a mentoring group was selected for qualitative analyses.
Research Q1 was addressed using an ANCOVA. Ethnic identity of YWLP participants (N= 62) (M= 2.706) was significantly lower than the control group (N= 43, M= 2.974, F (1,102) = 5.245, p =.024) at post-test when controlling for pre-test scores.
Racial Demographics
Connection Disconnection Structure Themes
YWLP participants’ ethnic identity was significantly lower compared to a randomized control group. However, an increase in ethnic identity was found in a number of participants. Limitations Future research ◦ Why ethnic identity was lower for YWLP Participants than control group ◦ If MEIM scores vary by race ◦ Compare positive change group dynamics to negative change group dynamics
Brook, J. S., & Pahl, K. (2005). The protective role of ethnic and racial identity and aspects of an africentric orientation against drug use among African American young adults. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 166(3), Lawrence E. C., Levy, M., Martin, N., & Strother-Taylor, J. (2008). One-on- one and group mentoring: An integrated approach. Phinney, J. (1992). The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure: A new scale for use with diverse groups. Journal of Adolescent Research, 7,156–176. Pugh, L. A., & Bry, B. H. (2007). The protective effects for ethnic identity for alcohol and marijuana use among Black young adults. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 13(2), (In order to protect the identity of this school, this website cannot be identified)
SURP Coodinators ◦ Jen Mashburn ◦ Stanley Trent, Ph.D. ◦ Carl “Llaves” Keys ◦ Camille Lawrence ◦ Howard Crumpton Nancy Deutsch, Ph.D. Angela Henneberger Lauren Germain Afi Wiggins