An Exploration of Cultural Identity Patterns and the Family Context among Arab Muslim Young Adults in America

Abstract

While many studies have explored cultural adaptation and development and its correlates among adult Arab immigrants to the United States (U.S.), little empirical work has focused on Arab youth who were raised in the U.S., particularly Arab Muslim young adults. The present study explores cultural identity patterns and the sociodemographic and family contexts of 150 Arab Muslim American young adults ages 18–25 who completed an Internet study. The participants fell into three cultural identity groups: High Bicultural, Moderate Bicultural, and High Arab Cultural. Although all three groups demonstrated positive general family functioning, the Moderate Bicultural group was distinct in that they were less likely to be engaged or married, and they experienced less family support and more family acculturative stressors. The results highlight the importance of the family context in contributing to a stronger sense of cultural identity for young adults who fall at the intersection of Arab and American culture and Muslim faith.

Preparation of this paper was supported by Russell Sage Foundation (grant #187-0604), as well as the American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Program (grant #SM56564). We would like to thank the University of Toledo Department of Psychology, and in particular Joseph Hovey, PhD, for supporting the development of the database from which this paper was based.

Notes

Note: Cultural dimensions taken from the modified Arab version of the VIA.

***p < .001.

Note: Only significant results presented

+p < .10.

***p ≤ .001.

+p < .10.

**p < .01.

Note: Family functioning was measured by FAD-GF. “Important to keep family running” and “Can count on relatives, friends for help” are items from the PRQ85. Family acculturation stress was measured by family items from the revised SAFE. Means are estimated means controlling for mother's education, father's education, and parents' country backgrounds (shared or not). Standard deviations are not reported for Estimated Means.

¹ d = effect size (CL effect).