Exploring the acculturation profiles and adaptation of children in multiethnic families in South Korea

Abstract

Using a latent class analysis approach, this paper examined the acculturation profiles of children in multiethnic families in South Korea and explored whether youth’s psychological and educational adaptation varied across these profiles. The study utilized a nationally representative face-to-face survey of 2,811 native-born multiethnic youth (ages 9–15) and identified four styles of acculturation: assimilated; linguistically assimilated but psychologically diffused; integrated; and marginalized. Accounting for socio-demographic background and factors associated with acculturative stress, logistic regressions revealed that, compared to assimilated youth, marginalized youth exhibited significantly higher odds of self-reported depressive symptoms, difficulty in school work and low educational aspirations; linguistically assimilated but psychologically diffused youth were more likely to express difficulty in school work; while integrated youth did not manifest higher odds of adaptive problems. The importance of considering the context of acculturation and its implications for youth adaptation is highlighted. Limitations as well as policy implications are further discussed.