The relationship between acculturation and mental health of 1st generation immigrant youth in a representative school survey: does gender matter?

Abstract Background Although gender plays a pivotal role in the psychological adaptation of immigrant youth, its association with acculturation strategy and mental health among 1st generation immigrant adolescents are still scarce and inconsistent. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to...

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Main Authors: Eva M. Klein, Kai W. Müller, Klaus Wölfling, Michael Dreier, Mareike Ernst, Manfred E. Beutel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2020-07-01
Series:Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13034-020-00334-6
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author Eva M. Klein
Kai W. Müller
Klaus Wölfling
Michael Dreier
Mareike Ernst
Manfred E. Beutel
author_facet Eva M. Klein
Kai W. Müller
Klaus Wölfling
Michael Dreier
Mareike Ernst
Manfred E. Beutel
author_sort Eva M. Klein
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Although gender plays a pivotal role in the psychological adaptation of immigrant youth, its association with acculturation strategy and mental health among 1st generation immigrant adolescents are still scarce and inconsistent. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to investigate gender-related differences in acculturation patterns and their association with mental health (internalizing and externalizing problems). Methods Self-reported data of immigrant adolescents (N = 440) aged between 12 and 19 years (M = 16.2; SD = 1.6) was collected in a representative German school survey. Fifty-one percent of the sample were female (n = 224). Almost half of the sample was born in the Former Soviet Union, followed by Poland (9.3%). Sociodemographic variables, acculturation strategies, and internalizing as well as externalizing problems were assessed by questionnaires. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported the four- dimensional model of acculturation styles (assimilation, integration, separation and marginalization). Whereas girls more often showed an integration pattern, boys scored higher on the separation and marginalization scale. After adjusting for age and educational level, regression analyses revealed for both gender that marginalization was associated with more internalizing problems. Separation was related to more externalizing problems. Conclusion 1st generation adolescents experiencing a lack of belongingness to German society, socio-economic and educational disadvantages might be particularly vulnerable to mental distress. Findings are discussed in terms of gender-related differential socialization processes in context of immigration.
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spelling doaj.art-eea38bb4be364f6abbab479a2c05756d2022-12-21T17:17:26ZengBMCChild and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health1753-20002020-07-0114111010.1186/s13034-020-00334-6The relationship between acculturation and mental health of 1st generation immigrant youth in a representative school survey: does gender matter?Eva M. Klein0Kai W. Müller1Klaus Wölfling2Michael Dreier3Mareike Ernst4Manfred E. Beutel5Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University MainzAbstract Background Although gender plays a pivotal role in the psychological adaptation of immigrant youth, its association with acculturation strategy and mental health among 1st generation immigrant adolescents are still scarce and inconsistent. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to investigate gender-related differences in acculturation patterns and their association with mental health (internalizing and externalizing problems). Methods Self-reported data of immigrant adolescents (N = 440) aged between 12 and 19 years (M = 16.2; SD = 1.6) was collected in a representative German school survey. Fifty-one percent of the sample were female (n = 224). Almost half of the sample was born in the Former Soviet Union, followed by Poland (9.3%). Sociodemographic variables, acculturation strategies, and internalizing as well as externalizing problems were assessed by questionnaires. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported the four- dimensional model of acculturation styles (assimilation, integration, separation and marginalization). Whereas girls more often showed an integration pattern, boys scored higher on the separation and marginalization scale. After adjusting for age and educational level, regression analyses revealed for both gender that marginalization was associated with more internalizing problems. Separation was related to more externalizing problems. Conclusion 1st generation adolescents experiencing a lack of belongingness to German society, socio-economic and educational disadvantages might be particularly vulnerable to mental distress. Findings are discussed in terms of gender-related differential socialization processes in context of immigration.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13034-020-00334-6MigrationImmigrant youthAcculturationMental healthGender differences
spellingShingle Eva M. Klein
Kai W. Müller
Klaus Wölfling
Michael Dreier
Mareike Ernst
Manfred E. Beutel
The relationship between acculturation and mental health of 1st generation immigrant youth in a representative school survey: does gender matter?
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
Migration
Immigrant youth
Acculturation
Mental health
Gender differences
title The relationship between acculturation and mental health of 1st generation immigrant youth in a representative school survey: does gender matter?
title_full The relationship between acculturation and mental health of 1st generation immigrant youth in a representative school survey: does gender matter?
title_fullStr The relationship between acculturation and mental health of 1st generation immigrant youth in a representative school survey: does gender matter?
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between acculturation and mental health of 1st generation immigrant youth in a representative school survey: does gender matter?
title_short The relationship between acculturation and mental health of 1st generation immigrant youth in a representative school survey: does gender matter?
title_sort relationship between acculturation and mental health of 1st generation immigrant youth in a representative school survey does gender matter
topic Migration
Immigrant youth
Acculturation
Mental health
Gender differences
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13034-020-00334-6
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