This report discusses Ethnic-racial identity (ERI) implications for general practice in managing mentoring relationships.
Ethnic-racial identity (ERI) is a key developmental process for youth of color. ERI includes beliefs and attitudes about ethnicity and race and the development of these attitudes and beliefs. Previous racial discrimination may create cultural mistrust toward adults of a different race, which can be a barrier to relationship development (including rapport building) with a mentor of a different race. Given the features of ERI, this report discusses its implications for general practice in managing mentoring relationships. Among the suggestions are to understand cultural mistrust toward adults of another culture and help mentors explore the role “internalized privilege” plays in perceptions and assumptions. Sources for additional information on this issue are provided.