Mono, bi or multi? Identification processes in a multicultural context

Luxembourg’s foreign population currently stands at 45%. Consequences of this demographic composition include frequent opportunities for culture contact and mixed-national households. In a series of quantitative studies we investigated how children growing up in this multicultural context organize and experience their nationalities. Do they self-identify in a mono- or bicultural way, and what factors contribute to either identification? How are the nationalities experienced? Participants were recruited at two secondary schools representing different contexts (N = 204, age M = 15.16, SD = 0.84 and N = 225, age M = 15.93, SD = 1.15). An open self-definition measure and an adapted version of the bicultural identity integration scale were used. The results indicate that culture contact alone is not a sufficient condition for self-identification as bicultural. Factors influencing the self-identification process will be presented. Implications for identity processes within increasingly diverse societies will be discussed.