Measures of Racial-Ethnic-Cultural (REC) Belonging: A Systematic Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT

A component of racial-ethnic-cultural (REC) identity, a sense of belonging to one’s REC group (REC Belonging; REC-B) has important implications for both individual psychological functioning and intra- and intergroup dynamics. Despite the substantial body of research on REC identity, a comprehensive and consensus definition and measurement of REC-B remains elusive. In this paper, we report the results of a systematic review and evaluation of 25 scales that attempt to define and measure REC-B or facets of it. Based on a review of the foundational theoretical and empirical literature on REC-B, we also propose a comprehensive definition of REC-B. Our study offers suggestions for future research in the area of understanding and assessing REC belongingness. This growing area of study has implications for promoting healing and well-being in BIPOC communities.

KEYWORDS:

• Sense of belonging
• racial-ethnic-cultural identity
• identity development
• systematic review

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Given the interrelatedness of race, ethnicity, and culture with respect to identity, theorists recommend a move toward a REC-identity approach (Cokley, 2007; Neville et al., 2014). Accordingly, we use the term REC-B to encompass racial, ethnic, and cultural belongingness.