Acculturation influences on the self concept of the black adolescent (Paperback)

Adolescence is one of the most difficult stages to negotiate successfully and the dramatic physical, emotional and psychological changes which occur at this time have a significant influence on the self- concept of the adolescent. It is that much more difficult for the adolescent who is placed in a diverse cultural setting and is confronted with confusion about his/her ethnic identity, his/her present cultural milieu and the physical and psychological changes which challenge them in forming a new adult identity. During her research the author's findings showed that black adolescent youth in trans-racial care who had some knowledge about their cultural roots were more able to begin the process of ethnic identity achievement which led to the development of a positive self-concept. This in turn led to better psychological and emotional adjustment and healthy ways of coping with problems in general. In contrast those adolescents who had relinquished their own culture for the new white culture they were emerged in, led to a negative self- concept, poor adjustment and negative ways of coping with problems