Purgason, Lucy L., José A. Villalba, & Cary Fosback (2020, March-April). Exploring ethnic identity through social networking sites: A Q methodology study with immigrant-origin college students. Journal of College Student Development, 61(2), 207-224. (doi: 10.1353/csd.2020.0018) (Access: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/752977/pdf)

Abstract: In this mixed methods study, Q methodology was used to identify patterns of ethnic identity exploration via social networking sites for college students from multiethnic, immigrant-origin backgrounds. Drawing from the community cultural wealth (CCW) social capital framework (Yosso, 2005), a Q-sort of 47 statements was constructed. Based on factor analysis, 3 resultant factor groups emerged: Active Explorers, Limited Explorers, and Filtered Explorers. Variability between groups in social capital, as reflected in social networking sites use, has implications for understanding ethnic identity exploration trajectories for immigrant-origin college students.

Lucy L Purgason <purgasonll@appstate.edu> is in the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC (USA).