Cultural Homelessness, Self-Esteem, and Skin Color Satisfaction Among Latinxs
This study explored feelings of cultural homelessness, self-esteem, and skin color satisfaction among Latinxs. A close interest was placed in examining responses of participants who identified as racially Black or Afro-Latinx. Through an electronic survey, the study aimed to answer the four research questions: (1) Is there a correlation between cultural homelessness, self-esteem, and skin color satisfaction; (2) Do participants of different self-perceived skin colors differ in self-esteem, cultural homelessness, and skin color satisfaction; (3) Does age moderate the relationship between self-perceived skin color and self-esteem; and (4) Does age moderate the relationship between self-perceived skin color and cultural homelessness. Through a qualitative lens, the study was also interested in attitudes and preferences related to participants’ race, ethnicity, and self-perceived skin color. In the final sample of 654, analyses revealed: (1) a statistically significant relationship among the primary variables; (2) a statistically significant difference among the three skin colors for skin color satisfaction; and (3) participants who reported having self-perceived dark skin color endorsed higher rates of skin color satisfaction compared to those with self-perceived light and medium skin color. These results may imply that (1) group-belonging, psychological well-being, and self-perception are intertwined experiences that should be taken into consideration, particularly in the Latinx collectivistic culture; (2) that Black Latinxs consistently endorse terms that acknowledge their African heritage, such as Afro-Latinx; and (3) individuals of darker skin have the ability to establish and maintain a positive sense of self even when faced with social factors, such as colorism and racism.
skin color, African Diaspora, Latino or Hispanic, ethnicity and race, group belonging, racial identity development, Clinical Psychology, Community Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Multicultural Psychology, Other Psychology, Personality and Social Contexts, Race and Ethnicity, Social Psychology, Social Psychology and Interaction, Sociology of Culture
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