Biracial Identity Development: Theoretical Models

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Biracial Identity DevelopmentTheoretical Models
Counseling Issues

• Amber Lancaster, MA, NCC
• Valerie Stokes, LMSW
• PhD Candidates in Counseling Psychology

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Definition of Terms

• Biracial
• Biological race blend of African-American and
  Caucasian genetics
• Society defines race in a rigid dichotomous
  fashion

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SocioCultural History

• 1967 Supreme Court decision Loving vs. Virginia
• Legacy of Slavery
• One drop rule
• Multiracial Category
• 1997 US Office of Budget and Management
• Trend increase of interracial marriages and
  partnerships

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Effects of Physical Characteristics

• Passing
• Predisposition to being considered different
  and acts of racism
• Stereotypical Culture based on Appearance

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Biracial Youth Unique Experiences

• Integration of dual racial and cultural
  identities with development of positive
  self-concept (Gibbs, 1989).
• Mixed race identity issues can effect and
  complicate developmental conflicts
• Social Acceptance
• Sense of Belonging
• Peer group relationships
• Dating
• Potential at-risk behaviors

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Parental Awareness

• Racism messages
• Overt
• Covert
• Impact of media, school systems, communities
• Teach coping strategies

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Original Models of Identity Development

• Stonequest (1937) Marginal Person Model
• Cross (1978) African-American Identity Model
• Morten Atkinson (1983) Ethnic Minority
  Identity Model
• Gibbs (1989) Deficit Model of Biracial
  Development Model

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Limitation of Models

• Implications
• Monoracial focus
• Deficit focus

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Rationale for New Models

• Contributing factors.
• Sociopolitical influence
• Psychological conflicts
• Assessment Diagnosis
• Tools for Understanding Differences
• Conceptual framework

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Biracial Identity Development Models

• Poston (1990)
• Root (1990)
• Smith (1991)
• Jacobs (1992)
• LaFromboise et al (1993)
• Kerwin Ponterro (1995)
• Helms (1995)

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Biracial Identity Development Model

• Poston (1990) stage theory of biracial identity
  development
• 1. Personal Identity
• 2. Choice of Group Categorization
• 3. Enmeshment/Denial
• 4. Appreciation
• 5. Integration
• Value of multiple cultures lead to fullness.

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Biracial Identity Development Model

• Root (1990)
• 4 Path Model
• Choosing the identity assigned by others
• Identifying with both racial groups
• Choosing one racial group over the others
• Identifying with a new, biracial or multiracial
  group
• All paths lead to positive sense of biracial
  self.

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Biracial Identity Development Model

• LaFromboise, Coleman and Gerton (1993)
• Model of bicultural competence
• Assimilation
• Acculturation
• Alternation
• Multicultural
• Fusion
• Propose that individual can live in two cultures
  without negative effects

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Biracial Identity Development Model

• Smith (1993)
• Ethnic identity conflicts
• Overt conflicts create boundary lines
• Phase 1
• Phase 2
• Phase 3
• Phase 4

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Biracial Identity Development Model

• Kerwin Ponterotto (1995)
• Empirically based developmental 7 stage model
• Preschool age
• Entry to school
• Preadolescence
• Adolescence
• College/Young Adulthood

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Conclusions of Models

• No singular way Black-White mixed race people
  understand their racial identity.
• No one model
• Fail to comprehend the multidimensionality and
  complexity of mixed race identity.
• SocioCultural Context
• Validation

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Counseling Approaches

• Awareness
• Counselor
• Own personal bias
• Client
• Acknowledge societal/environmental impact of
  biracialism
• Aware of prejudices and injustices
• Advantages/disadvantages
• Techniques
• Family Trees, bibliotherapy, role play, support
  groups

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Counseling Approaches

• Communication
• Counselor
• Address the topic of biracial/ethnic issues
• Develop a comfort level
• Client
• Discuss biracial identity
• Experience validation
• Techniques
• Art therapy, narrative therapy

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Counseling Approaches

• Exposure
• Counselor
• Be willing to attend cultural events
• Openness to new ideas, cultures, etc.
• Client
• Explore all aspects of their heritage
• Embrace their identity
• Find positive ways to respond to discrimination
• Techniques
• Experiential learning, support groups

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Counseling StrategiesA Relational-Narrative
Therapeutic Approach

• Invite clients to tell their stories.
• Externalizing the problem.
• Probing for unique outcomes and subjugated
  stories.
• Expressing curiosity.
• Re-authoring ones life.
• Expanding the therapeutic conversation.
• Telling the new story to an audience.
• Strengthening self-validation.
• Developing strategies of resistance.
• (Rockquemore Laszloffy, 2003)

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Case ExampleMr. Y

• Break out into small groups, discuss case study,
  answer following questions
• What strengths and deficits can you identify in
  the case study?
• If Mr. Y, came to your office, how might you work
  with him?
• How would you potential biracial identity issues
  with this client?

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Thank you for your participation!

• Amber Valerie

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References

• Aldarondo, F. (2001). Racial and ethnic
  identity models and their application
  Counseling biracial individuals. Journal of
  Mental Health Counseling, Vol. 23(3), pp 238-255.
• Herring, D. (1995). Developing biracial ethnic
  identity A review of the increasing dilemma.
  Journal of Multicultural Counseling
  Development, Vol. 23(1), p.29.
• Kenney, K. (1999). Multiracial Families in
  chapter 6 of Advocacy in Counseling Counselors,
  Clients Community. Counseling and Student
  Services Clearinghouse.
• Rockquemore, K and Laszloffy, T. (2003).
  Multiple realities A relational narrative
  approach in therapy with black-white mixed-race
  clients. Family Relations, Vol. 52(2),
  p.119-129.
• http//www.nasponline.org/publications/cq327multir
  acial.html
• http//www.ameasite.org/census/