Measurement Uncertainty in Racial and Ethnic Identification Among Adolescents of Mixed Ancestry: A Latent Variable Approach

Abstract

In this article, we operationalize identification of mixed racial and ethnic ancestry among adolescents as a latent variable to (a) account for measurement uncertainty, and (b) compare alternative wording formats for racial and ethnic self-categorization in surveys. Two latent variable models were fit to multiple mixed-ancestry indicator data from 1,738 adolescents in New England. The first, a mixture factor model, accounts for the zero-inflated mixture distribution underlying mixed-ancestry identification. Alternatively, a latent class model allows classification distinction between relatively ambiguous versus unambiguous mixed-ancestry responses. Comparison of individual indicators reveals that the Census 2000 survey version estimates higher prevalence of mixed ancestry but is less sensitive to relative certainty of identification than are alternate survey versions (i.e., offering a “mixed” check box option, allowing a written response). Ease of coding and missing data are also considered in discussing the relative merit of individual mixed-ancestry indicators among adolescents.

Notes

^aThe 2000 nationwide census identifies 2.4% of the U.S. population as mixed race. Our estimate reflects the specific composition of the high schools we selected for our study and includes Hispanic ethnicity as well as race to identify individuals of mixed ancestry.

^aParameter fixed to value shown.

*p < .05.

**p < .01.

***p < .001.

¹The threshold value for a dichotomous variable is the logit coefficient corresponding to the probability of a 1 response. The sign of the threshold is the opposite of the sign taken by a mean or intercept (e.g., a negative threshold corresponds to a probability greater than .50).

^aParameter fixed to value shown.

*p < .05.

**p < .01.

***p < .001.

^aChosen based on overall school-reported racial diversity of student body.

^bChosen based on the potential for Hispanic ethnicity/Black or White race mixes, given regional racial composition.

^cChosen based on proportion of school-reported multiracial students in otherwise monoracially White-dominated context.