Exploring the Relationship Between Exposure to Media Depictions of Undocumented Immigrants, Identity Management, and Undocumented Immigrants’ Family Communication Profiles

Using longitudinal survey data from 366 undocumented college students, a latent profile analysis was conducted to identify groups of students according to their identity management strategies (outlined by social identity theory), as reflected in protection-oriented and strengths-based family communication. The “ high competition and creativity” profile frequently engaged in communication suggesting social competition and creativity. The “ partial competition and creativity” profile often communicated about undocumented-related barriers (reflecting social competition), while to a degree, also sharing optimism for the future (indicating social creativity). The “limited competition, mobility, creativity” profile engaged in low levels of communication across all strategies. Health and wellbeing were mostly stable over time across profiles; however, the “high competition and creativity” profile reported more anxiety and stomachaches, and the strongest undocumented identity. Finally, exposure to media depictions of undocumented immigrants was associated with membership in the “high competition and creativity” profile as opposed to the “limited competition, mobility, creativity” profile.