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The current study examined the interrelationships among womanist identity, cultural identity, acculturation, and self-esteem in 74 Asian American women who are currently enrolled in or who have graduated from a college or university in the United States. It was hypothesized that Internalization attitudes, cultural identity, and acculturation would predict self-esteem among Asian American women. It was also hypothesized that cultural identity (Ethnic Identification) and acculturation would be negatively correlated with each other. Results of the simultaneous multiple regression analysis indicated that Internalization attitudes and cultural identity were both significant predictors of self-esteem. Asian American women with higher levels of Internalization attitudes had higher levels of self-esteem, consistent with Ossana, Helms, and Leonard's (1992) study. Asian American women with higher levels of Marginal attitudes had lower levels of self-esteem. Results, however, yielded no significant relationship between acculturation and self-esteem. A correlational analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between cultural identity (Ethnic Identification) and acculturation, confirming Lee's (1988) assertion that acculturation decreases cultural identity. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Published research suggests that literature should transmit ethnic and societal values as well as reassure one's own confidence and self-respect. This study provides a model for examining Asian-American children's and adolescent literature critically from the perspective of identity issues. It examines fifteen award-winning Asian-American children's and adolescent titles written by writers of that culture and published in the United States from 1999 to 2007, with a focus on Chinese (Taiwanese) American, Korean American, and Japanese American books. As published studies indicate, self, social, and ethnic identities are significantly intertwined. Hence, a content analysis was conducted based on these three major groups of categories. The findings of the study demonstrate that even though the selected books cover all three aspects of the identity issues to a certain degree, a considerably greater number of depictions of ethnic identities are made over those of internal identities and social identities. Moreover, less than half of the main characters assume an active role in improving the difficult situation. Two major voids regarding the presentation of social identities are successful social integration and positive social interactions. Recommendations for teaching, writing, illustrating, publishing, and future research are suggested, including publishing more Asian-American books which present an optimistic outlook on life, active conflict-resolving behaviors, and a balance of gender among individuals with whom the main character interacts.