Keywords

Muslim-American; multicultural identity development; identity distress; minority identity; islamophobia; religious identity and well-being

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand how the childhood experiences, perceived discrimination, and Islamophobia experienced by Muslim-American college students have played a part in their identity development and overall well-being. Participants completed the RYFF Psychological Well-being Scales, Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, Centrality of Religiosity Scale, GAD7, Identity Distress Survey, Multi-Ethnic Identity Scale, as well as a narrative questionnaire that asked about their childhood experiences. After carefully analyzing the results of my study, results indicated that while Muslim-Americans faced extra difficulties due to discrimination, Islamophobia, and the integration of multiple cultural identities, they still experienced higher well-being and self-esteem despite the difficulties. They were also still able to successfully integrate their conflicting identities into a multi-cultural identity. This study is relevant and pertinent because Muslim-Americans are an under-researched minority group that continuously suffers threats to their identity development, such as Islamophobia, discrimination, and lack of resources. Additionally, Muslim-Americans make up a large percentage of the college population in the United States, and it is important to better understand these students so that we can help them succeed.

Thesis Completion Year

2024

Thesis Completion Semester

Summer

Thesis Chair

Zaman, Widaad

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Thesis Discipline

Psychology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Share

COinS
 

Rights Statement

In Copyright