Black people who identify with their race are generally happier, study finds

By Staff Writer

New research reveals that black people who identify strongly with their racial identities are more likely to experience happiness than those who do not embrace their ethnic groups.

The study, which appears in the journal Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. Although previous reports have linked racial identity and self-esteem, researchers from Michigan State University sought out to measure the relationship between ethnic pride and happiness.

After the team surveyed a group of black adults in Michigan, they concluded that the more that participants identified with their race, the more overall satisfaction that they experienced in life. Researchers surmised that a sense of belonging likely fuels this happiness.

People who have pride in their ethnic backgrounds may forge stronger bonds with other individuals in the same demographic. The study's lead author stated that this sense of belonging is commonly seen among women, many of whom take great pride in their feminine identities.

Adolescents who struggle with self-esteem or experience identity challenges may benefit from boarding schools. Many of these facilities aim to provide help for troubled teens.