Peer Cultural Socialization as a Moderator of Perceived Discrimination and Ethnic-Racial Identity Exploration Among Korean Adoptees

Authors

• Josie Braun, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University
• Majel Baker, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University
• Jae-In Kim, Elon University
• Richard Lee, University of Minnesota
• Elisheva Perelman, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

4-30-2026

Disciplines

Psychology

Advisor

Dr. Majel Baker

Abstract

As peers become increasingly salient sources of affirmation and cultural learning across adolescence and emerging adulthood, peer cultural socialization may play a distinct and critical role in moderating Korean adoptees' exploration of their ethnic-racial identity. This study hypothesized that 1) ethnic-racial discrimination experienced in the past year in adulthood (T3) will be unrelated to exploration of Korean ethnic-racial identity in adulthood (T3). However, peer racial socialization in adulthood (T3) will moderate the relationship between ethnic-racial discrimination experienced in adulthood (T3) and exploration of Korean ethnic-racial identity in adulthood (T3), and 2) ethnic-racial discrimination experienced in the past year in adulthood (T3) will be unrelated to exploration of Korean ethnic-racial identity in adulthood (T3). Peer ethnic socialization in adulthood (T3) will moderate the relationship between ethnic-racial discrimination experienced in adulthood (T3) and exploration of Korean ethnic-racial identity in adulthood (T3). A secondary data analysis was conducted using the Korean Adoption Project data. Korean adoptees (N = 153) were surveyed in 2019. Participants completed modified versions of the Cultural Socialization Scale, Perceived Discrimination Scale, and the Exploration of Ethnic Racial Identity Scale. Hypotheses weren’t supported. Neither peer racial socialization nor peer ethnic socialization moderated the association between discrimination and exploration of Korean ethnic-racial identity at T3. Instead, discrimination was associated with lower exploration, while both peer racial and peer ethnic socialization were associated with higher exploration. Results may suggest that discrimination and peer socialization operate as independent predictors of exploration rather than interactively shaping Korean adoptees' exploration of identity.

Recommended Citation

Braun, Josie; Baker, Majel; Kim, Jae-In; Lee, Richard; and Perelman, Elisheva, "Peer Cultural Socialization as a Moderator of Perceived Discrimination and Ethnic-Racial Identity Exploration Among Korean Adoptees" (2026). Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-). 354.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/ur_cscday/354