Bethany Cruz
Biographic Data
| ID | 902968 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Bethany Cruz |
| GIVEN NAMES | Bethany |
| FAMILY NAME | Cruz |
| SIGNATURE | CRUZ B |
| AFFILIATIONS | The University of Texas at San Antonio |
| ORCID | 0009-0005-3812-402X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 12 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 5 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 12 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2023 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
A Tutorial on Classifying Open-Ended Ethnic-Racial Identity Narratives Using Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning
Studying how individuals construct a coherent identity has long been constrained by reliance on self-report surveys and labor-intensive qualitative coding, limiting the integration of identity processes with the nuanced content of lived experience. Advances in natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) now offer scalable, theoretically-informed tools for analyzing open-ended narratives. This tutorial provides a step-by-step frame…
Revisiting the two-factor model of ethnic–racial and U.S. identity exploration among Hispanic college students
OBJECTIVE: Establishing a positive ethnic-racial identity (ERI) and U.S. identity (USI) is an important cultural asset capable of promoting positive adjustment. Although exploration has been identified as the fundamental process underlying ERI and USI development, existing research has largely utilized a unidimensional conceptualization. The present study sought to replicate Syed et al.'s (2013) findings, which differentiated between two forms of…
Testing the Empirical Distinctiveness of Ethnic-Racial and U.S. Identity
Ethnic-racial identity (ERI) and United States identity (USI) have been highlighted to play independent roles in fostering positive adjustment. Despite this, limited efforts have been made to determine the empirical distinctiveness between ERI and USI. Addressing this gap, utilizing an ethnically diverse sample of 2,515 college-attending emerging adults (60% Hispanic/Latine: Mage = 18.88 years, 69% cisgender female), the current study examined th…
The Unique Effects of Identity Centrality and Discrimination on Mental Health in Latinx Sexual Minoritized Emerging Adults
Latinx sexual minoritized emerging adults (SMEA) face heightened mental health risks due to compounded ethnic-racial and sexual orientation-based discrimination. This study examined how personal, ethnic-racial, U.S. and sexual orientation identity centrality relates to mental health and moderates the effects of discrimination. In a sample of 220 Latinx SMEA (74.1% female, M age = 20.13 years, SD = 1.43, 18-24 years old) personal and ethnic-racial…
United States Identity Development in Sexual Minoritized Emerging Adults
A Digital Identity Intervention Incorporating Social Media Activities Promotes Identity Exploration and Commitment Among Emerging Adults
Empowering Nontraditional College Students
Examining the role of identity development and cultural stressors in the establishment of a U.S. identity among Hispanic/Latinx college students
Navigating Identity Uncertainty
The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have only recently begun to be explored. Among college students, who were faced with sudden and unprecedented changes and challenges, it is likely that COVID-19 detrimentally impacted the establishment of a sense of self, a key developmental task of the college years. However, no research has examined the relationships among COVID-19 related worries, identity distress, and psychological and academic …
A Brief Report on Measurement Invariance for the Ethnic Identity Scale Among College-Attending Emerging Adults
Ethnic-Racial Identity (ERI) development research has been critical in further understanding youths’ psychological adjustment. The Ethnic Identity Scale (EIS) has been used extensively in this field of research to measure ERI. However, it has not been assessed for full measurement invariance, which is essential to ensure its effectiveness in measuring ERI differences across different ethnic-racial and gender groups. Thus, the current study sought…
Profiles of acculturative strategies and cultural stressors among Hispanic/Latinx college-attending emerging adults
The results of the present study highlight the usefulness of person-centered approaches for understanding the interplay between acculturative strategies and cultural stressors, and the implications of these distinct profiles on psychosocial functioning in HL emerging adults. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
Cultural Identity Configurations
Navigating Identity Uncertainty
The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have only recently begun to be explored. Among college students, who were faced with sudden and unprecedented changes and challenges, it is likely that COVID-19 detrimentally impacted the establishment of a sense of self, a key developmental task of the college years. However, no research has examined the relationships among COVID-19 related worries, identity distress, and psychological and academic …
A Brief Report on Measurement Invariance for the Ethnic Identity Scale Among College-Attending Emerging Adults
Ethnic-Racial Identity (ERI) development research has been critical in further understanding youths’ psychological adjustment. The Ethnic Identity Scale (EIS) has been used extensively in this field of research to measure ERI. However, it has not been assessed for full measurement invariance, which is essential to ensure its effectiveness in measuring ERI differences across different ethnic-racial and gender groups. Thus, the current study sought…
Profiles of acculturative strategies and cultural stressors among Hispanic/Latinx college-attending emerging adults
The results of the present study highlight the usefulness of person-centered approaches for understanding the interplay between acculturative strategies and cultural stressors, and the implications of these distinct profiles on psychosocial functioning in HL emerging adults. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
Cultural Identity Configurations
Examining the role of identity development and cultural stressors in the establishment of a U.S. identity among Hispanic/Latinx college students
United States Identity Development in Sexual Minoritized Emerging Adults
A Digital Identity Intervention Incorporating Social Media Activities Promotes Identity Exploration and Commitment Among Emerging Adults
Empowering Nontraditional College Students
A Tutorial on Classifying Open-Ended Ethnic-Racial Identity Narratives Using Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning
Studying how individuals construct a coherent identity has long been constrained by reliance on self-report surveys and labor-intensive qualitative coding, limiting the integration of identity processes with the nuanced content of lived experience. Advances in natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) now offer scalable, theoretically-informed tools for analyzing open-ended narratives. This tutorial provides a step-by-step frame…
Revisiting the two-factor model of ethnic–racial and U.S. identity exploration among Hispanic college students
OBJECTIVE: Establishing a positive ethnic-racial identity (ERI) and U.S. identity (USI) is an important cultural asset capable of promoting positive adjustment. Although exploration has been identified as the fundamental process underlying ERI and USI development, existing research has largely utilized a unidimensional conceptualization. The present study sought to replicate Syed et al.'s (2013) findings, which differentiated between two forms of…
Testing the Empirical Distinctiveness of Ethnic-Racial and U.S. Identity
Ethnic-racial identity (ERI) and United States identity (USI) have been highlighted to play independent roles in fostering positive adjustment. Despite this, limited efforts have been made to determine the empirical distinctiveness between ERI and USI. Addressing this gap, utilizing an ethnically diverse sample of 2,515 college-attending emerging adults (60% Hispanic/Latine: Mage = 18.88 years, 69% cisgender female), the current study examined th…
The Unique Effects of Identity Centrality and Discrimination on Mental Health in Latinx Sexual Minoritized Emerging Adults
Latinx sexual minoritized emerging adults (SMEA) face heightened mental health risks due to compounded ethnic-racial and sexual orientation-based discrimination. This study examined how personal, ethnic-racial, U.S. and sexual orientation identity centrality relates to mental health and moderates the effects of discrimination. In a sample of 220 Latinx SMEA (74.1% female, M age = 20.13 years, SD = 1.43, 18-24 years old) personal and ethnic-racial…
Psychology (8 works) · Social Psychology (7 works) · Identity (music (6 works) · Racial and Ethnic Identity Research (6 works) · Clinical Psychology (5 works) · Developmental psychology (5 works) · Social Psychology (5 works) · Sociology (5 works) · Ethnic group (4 works) · Identity, Memory, and Therapy (4 works)