Ethnic identity is defined in terms of the interaction between exploration of and commitment to a given cultural background. The present study investigated the effect of individual background, role transitions, and the social environment on the development of ethnic identity in a sample of German adults aged 21–73 years (N = 2,940). Additionally, identity transitions and the moderating effect of disequilibrating life events on identity over time were examined (N = 827). Overall, results are consistent with findings for other identity domains: Respondents could be assigned to one of four identity stages, ranging from unexamined to achieved identity. Particularly, the individual background and the extent of community involvement affected ethnic identity formation in adulthood. Longitudinal analyses revealed that only one-third of respondents had remained in the same identity stage; most individuals had transitioned forward or backward. Changes in ethnic identity were not moderated by disequilibrating life events.

中文翻译：

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成年后种族认同发展的决定因素：一项纵向研究

民族认同是根据对特定文化背景的探索和承诺之间的相互作用来定义的。本研究调查了个人背景、角色转变和社会环境对 21-73 岁德国成年人样本中种族认同发展的影响 ( N  = 2,940)。此外，还研究了身份转换和不平衡生活事件对身份随时间的调节作用（N = 827)。总体而言，结果与其他身份领域的调查结果一致：受访者可以被分配到四个身份阶段之一，从未经审查到实现身份。特别是，个人背景和社区参与程度会影响成年后的种族认同形成。纵向分析显示，只有三分之一的受访者仍处于同一身份阶段；大多数人已经向前或向后过渡。不平衡的生活事件并没有缓和种族认同的变化。