Psychiatry - November 2008 - (Page 41)

development models for biracial or multiracial individuals.19 In the 1980s, it was assumed that biracial individuals should adopt the same race of the parent of color. This assumption was based on historical mandate of the “one drop rule,” which stated that any individual with African ancestry would be considered a member of the Black race. Therefore, if a biracial individual resisted being categorized as Black, the individual was pathologized.19 Eventually, multiracial individuals began to challenge this assumption, which led to research, new concepts of biracial identity development, and inclusion of a biracial option on the census. Poston’s Biracial Identity Development Model. Poston proposed one of the first biracial identity development models and suggests that biracial individuals will experience conflict and periods of maladjustment during the development process. See Table 1 for comparison with other identity models. Poston’s Biracial Identity Development Model consists of the following stages: personal identity, choice of group categorization; enmeshment/denial, appreciation, and integration. Personal identity occurs during childhood when the child is not aware of his or her mixed heritage. Choice of group categorization occurs as a result of numerous influences (e.g., parents, peers, community, society). It is during this stage that the individual feels pressured to choose one racial or ethnic group identity over another. Enmeshment/denial occurs because the individual feels guilty and disloyal for choosing one group over another, subsequently denying the differences between the racial groups and identify with both racial groups. Some individuals who largely identify with one group may explore the other group and grow to appreciate it during the fourth stage. In the fifth stage of this model, integration, the individual may still identify with one group but appreciate “the integration of their multiple racial identities.”10 41 TABLE 1. Comparison of identity formation models ERIKSON’S STAGES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT • • trust vs. mistrust autonomy vs. shame and doubt initiative vs. guilt industry vs. inferiority identity vs. role confusion • • intimacy vs. isolation • • generativity vs. stagnation ego integrity vs. despair • • WHITE RACIAL IDENTITY MODEL (HELMS) contact status disintegration Status reintegration status pseudoindependence status immersion/ emersion status autonomy status • PEOPLE OF COLOR IDENTITY MODEL (CROSS) pre-encounter status encounter status immersion/ emersion status • • • internalization status • • internalization/ commitment BIRACIAL IDENTITY MODEL (POSTON) • • • • personal identity choice of group categorization (monoracial identity) enmeshment and denial appreciation of multiple identity and exploration of heritages integration and valuing of multicultural identity • • • • • • Continuum of Biracial Identity Model. Another common biracial identity development model is referred to as COBI (Continuum of Biracial Identity). This model, proposed by Rockquemore and Laszloffy, attempts to reflect the diverse ways multiracial individuals see themselves racially, without placing judgment on the individuals if they do not see themselves the way existing models suggest they should. This model does not attempt to “fit” mixed-race people into a singular correct identity, and instead recognizes that multiple and equally valid racial identifications exist among the growing multiracial population.” The COBI model suggests (Figure 1) that biracial individuals can locate an identity any place along a “blended continuum.” Singular racial identity is located on the poles of the continuum; for example, if the individual’s parents were African American and European American then one pole would represent African American and the other pole European American. An equal blended identity of the two (not in biological terms) is located in the middle of the continuum. Individuals can locate themselves anywhere along the continuum, and because the belief is racial identity dynamic, it can be subject to change. Biracial individuals may self identify with only one of their birth parents for many reasons and although some anthologize a singular identity option, it is important to recognize that it is “possible for a singular identity to be valid and rational choice and can result in a welladjusted individual with high self esteem.”11 PSYCHOTHERAPY WITH THE BIRACIAL CHILD Being biracial does not automatically lead to emotional or relational problems. When biracial children are raised in homes that are nurturing with emotionally involved parents they can be expected to acquire stability and cohesiveness of the self and the attributes that are associated with healthy self structure. Children who are biracial do have additional issues to contend with because they are biracial. They may deal with glares, strange looks, and comments about their family structure. Negative societal reactions to one’s race are problems that can deeply affect the wellbeing of biracial patients. The biracial child and family will meet with disfavor quite regularly. [NOVEMBER] Psychiatry 2008 41

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Psychiatry - November 2008 Editor's Message Editorial Advisory Board Contents PsychRx Letters to the Editor Measuring Adverse Events in Psychiatry Nonsuicidal Self Injury in Adolescents Relative Tolerability of Alzheimer's Disease Treatments Biracial Identity Development and Recommendations in Therapy Depression and Cardiovascular Disease: Just an Urban Legend? Three Risk Management Basics Journal Watch Classified Advertising Information for Authors

Psychiatry - November 2008

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