Psychological and Socio-Cultural Adaptation of Immigrant and National Adolescents in Australia: A Test of the Acculturative Stress Hypothesis

Abstract

Abstract:Purpose: The first aim of this study was to test the acculturative stress hypothesis within the Australian context predicting that immigrant adolescents are more prone to psychological and socio-cultural adaptation problems than their national Australian peers. The second aim of the study was to profile the socio-demographic factors underlying adaptation problems. Methods: The study utilised stratified surveys conducted by the New South Wales Ministry of Health during the years [2005][2006][2007][2008]. The surveys collected information on socio-demographics, and psychological problems (i.e. emotional problems) and socio-cultural problems (i.e. hyperactivity-inattention, peer problems, and conduct problems). Adolescents aged 11-15 years (n = 5,779 for the total sample; n = 638, n = 5054, for immigrants and nationals, respectively) were included. Logistic regression analyses, taking observations' weights into account, were used for the adaptation problems outcomes. Results: The two groups differed in socio-cultural adaptation problems only (specifically in hyperactivityinattention), with nationals having greater odds for this than immigrants even after adjusting for socio-demographics (adjusted OR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.23-4.06). While immigrant adolescents' sex was associated with hyperactivity-inattention problems only, sex was associated with emotional problems, hyperactivity-inattention problems, and conduct problems among national adolescents. In addition, mothers' education was associated with conduct problems and household income was associated with peer problems among national adolescents only. Conclusions: Contrary to the acculturative stress hypothesis, this study shows that immigrant adolescents do not seem maladaptive. In addition, certain socio-demographic factors play a differential role in the emergence of adaptation problems among immigrant and national adolescents.

Acculturation Research Critiques and Alternative Research Designs

“…Fifth, the research community's reaction to findings that minority groups are superior is often to declare such findings "counterintuitive" or a "paradox," indicating an undeclared presumption that minorities were expected to be inferior on the selected criteria variables (e.g., De Maio, 2010;Hummer, Powers, Pullum, Gossman, & Frisbie, 2007;Markides & Coreil, 1986;Sam, Vedder, Liebkind, Neto, & Virta, 2008). Large-N studies, especially those based on representative population samples, often produce data showing immigrants to have mental and physical health better than that of the dominant society (e.g., Abu-Rayya, 2013;De Maio, 2010;Harker, 2001;Kwak & Rudmin, 2014;Read, Amick, & Donato, 2005). In a study using 42 opportunistic samples of adolescents in 13 nations, Berry, Phinney, Sam, and Vedder (2006, p. 284) tabled data showing that, in each of the 13 nations studied, the minority adolescents had lower scores than their national peers on psychological problems and behavior problems and higher scores on school adjustment.…”

Stability of and Change in Psychopathological Risk Levels in Pre-Early Adolescents before, during, and after Their Study Sojourns: A Descriptive Study

“…Conversely, Abu-Rayya (2013, [ 39 ]) found that immigrant adolescents did not seem maladaptive, contrary to the acculturative stress hypothesis. Other authors (e.g., [ 40 , 41 , 42 ]) suggest that differences in emotional reactions to stress, particularly within an interpersonal context, contribute to the development of differences in the manifestation of anxiety and depression during adolescence. It has also been posited that emotional problems are positively associated with adolescent adjustment in less supportive familial environments [ 43 , 44 , 45 ].…”

Stereotype Accommodation: A Socio-Cognitive Perspective on Migrants’ Cultural Adaptation

“…These major stages of life are often associated with distinct patterns of adaptation to host societies. Children and young adolescent migrants experience higher levels of adaptation compared with late adolescents or adults (Beiser et al, 1988), which can make them even undistinguishable from locals (Abu-Rayya, 2013). Regarding stereotypes, young migrants acquire stereotypes relevant in their host cultures, rather than accommodating newly learnt information into their preexisting stereotypes (Oppedal, 2006;Sam & Oppedal, 2002).…”