Acculturation Orientations Among Immigrant-Origin Youth: How is Acculturation Associated with Self-Esteem, Sense of Belonging, and Discrimination?

Abstract

AbstractWe developed a six-item Compact Acculturation Scale (CAS) based on common items on comprehensive acculturation scales and examined it with two designs using data from the Finnish Annual Youth Future Report Survey of 2023 (N = 744 immigrant-origin youth, IOY). In Study 1, we first confirmed second-order factorial structure of CAS and its convergent validity. Second, using structural equation modelling, we found that the relation of acculturation with self-esteem was ambivalent among recently migrated youth who perceived discrimination. Established immigrant-origin youth who reported discrimination were more likely to prefer an ethnic orientation. In Study 2, we examined acculturation profiles among immigrant-origin youth based on CAS variables, and the relationship of profiles with self-esteem, perceived discrimination, and sense of belonging. Six profiles were found: Medium integration (49%), High integration (22%), Neo-culture kid (15%), Separation (6%), Assimilation (6%), and Marginalized (2%). Both integration profiles were associated with high self-esteem and sense of belonging. Third largest profile was characterized by rejecting both host and heritage cultures, but unlike Marginalized, they reported enjoying both in-group and host-peer relations. In sum, this study shows that CAS is a reliable and robust instrument that can serve us in investigating acculturation both by variable- and person-oriented approaches.