Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [157]-169). / It was the purpose of this study to test hypotheses concerning the relationship of the variables of self-esteem and stability of the self-concept to the relative level of personality adjustment, as well as to see how interactions of these variables in combination were related to adjustment. The study stemmed from an investigation by Brownfain which attempted to validate the stability of the self-concept as a predictor of personality adjustment . The variable of self-esteem was mentioned but not controlled in his study. The present study used a self-rating inventory devised by Brownfain in order to measure these independent variables, but examined them in relation to different adjustment criteria.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Boston University, 1994. / It has been estimated that there are between one and ten million "biracial persons living in the United States at this time, yet a paucity of empirical data exists as to how those with mixed racial heritages manage the developmental tasks associated with identity formation. This project studies racial identification and parental similarity as they relate to psychological well-being in a non-clinical sample of biracial persons. Well-being served as the independent variable in the analyses and was assessed with the Affect Balance Scale which measures both positive and negative affective experiences in subjects' daily lives. Greater wellbeing is attributed to those for whom positive affect is not outweighed by negative affect. All subjects were adults with one black (African-American) and one white (European-American) parent. [TRUNCATED]