Understanding the ethnic identity of Filipino-Japanese in the Philippines using Q-Methodology and narrative approaches

Issue Date

1-2016

Abstract

Compared to the studies of Filipino-Japanese residing in Japan, few studies had dealt on Filipino-Japanese living in the Philippines. Persons with mixed race create double consciousness similar to Du Bois, 1903 findings on African Americans. Using Q-Methodology and narrative approaches, this study aimed to characterize Filipino-Japanese in the Philippines and to identify their ethnic identity. Thirteen Filipino-Japanese born between 1980-1990 were asked to sort their agreement on the 48 items indicating either Filipino or Japanese identity. The 13 Q-sorts were then subjected to a by-person factor analysis with varimax rotation using the PQ Method version 2.35. In- depth interviews were also carried out with the participants. Narratives were then laid to thematic analysis using Gonzales-Backens' Cultural Ecological Theory as a framework. Analysis of Q-sorts yielded two interpretable factors. Both factors are understood to present two distinct identity positions. The first factor, "Filipino-Japanese with Salient Japanese Identity", is oriented towards explicit expression of Japanese identity while the second factor, "Filipino-Japanese with Obscure Japanese Identity" reflected abstruse sense of Japanese ethnicity. The discussion focused on the similarities and differences between two identity positions regarding the three dimensions of ethnic identity (attitudinal, cognitive, and behavioral) derived from Phinney's Multi-ethnic Identity Measure. Moreover, narrative accounts of the participants confirmed six ecological factors affecting ethnic identity formation of individuals with mixed ethnic backgrounds namely: (1) familial ethnic socialization, (2) parent- child relationships, (3) non-familial ethnic socialization, (4) physical appearance, (5) discrimination, and (6) cognitive development. Most importantly, results suggest that participants' relationship with their parents, especially with their Japanese father, is a significant determinant in ethnic identity formation among Filipino-Japanese in this study.

Source or Periodical Title

U.P. LOS BAŇOS JOURNAL

Volume

XIV

Issue

1

Page

109-123

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

tables

Language

English

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