Examination of individuals' social identity whose parents have different ethnic identities and prejudice that they experience

The purpose of this research is to examine how individuals whose parents have different ethnic identities construct and perceive their social identities, prejudices that they have and experience about their social identities. The phenomenological approach, which is one of qualitative research methods, was adopted in the study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 participants (11 women and 14 men), between the ages of 19-49, who declared that their parents had different ethnic identities. A semi-structured interview form was used to collect the data. The obtained data were analyzed using thematic analysis and content analysis methods. Participants preferred superordinate identities and dual identities more while they identified their ethnic and culturally based social identities. On the other hand, they used single identities more while they expressed themselves to other people. They mostly stated that there was no distance between their social identities. The dominant culture in the social environment has affected the way these people identify with their social identities. Experiencing prejudice, discrimination and exclusion are prominent difficulties that they had. In coping with these difficulties, participants generally preferred the methods of avoiding, behaving cautiously, trying to make positive contact, and engaging in conflict. The majority of people who participated in the study said that they could easily switch between their identities and reconcile their social identities. It has been observed that individuals with multiple identities could evaluate different social groups more openly and flexibly. Therefore, they stated that they would not be bothered to make contact with people with different social identities.