Examining a Multidimensional Framework of Racial Identity Across Different Biracial Groups

The term multiracial is complex. Recent research has adopted a multidimensional view initially proposed by Rockquemore and colleagues (2002 , 2009 ) for examining racial identity among Black/White biracial people. This approach has acknowledged the social construction of race and broadened the range of racial identity options beyond the two "traditional" options of being "Black" or "biracial." This study was designed to further assess this framework by examining a more diverse multiracial sample from Canada and the U.S. ( N = 122). Both the Black/White biracials ( n = 38) and Asian/White biracials ( n = 40) showed great variability in their selection of Rockquemore's multiracial identity categories, but the pattern of responses differed across the two groups. In addition to revealing different patterns of identity selection between Asian/White and Black/White biracial persons, findings demonstrated the importance of identity validation by others and its relation to conceptions of the self. Having a multiracial identity that is validated by others (as opposed to invalidated or contextually dependent identities) was associated with higher levels of identity integration and self-concept clarity. Theoretical implications for extending a multidimensional model to other biracial groups are discussed.