The Structural Relationship among Trajectories of Ego-resilience, Neglectful Parenting, Bilingual Competency, and Acculturative Stress of Multicultural Adolescents in South Korea

Boram No,Naya Choi,Nam Kyung Lee,Sujeong Kang

doi:10.3390/su12052108

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the trajectories of multicultural adolescents’ ego-resilience, to compare the effects of neglectful parenting and bilingual competency on the trajectories, and to analyze the longitudinal mediation effect of ego-resilience on these variables’ influence to acculturative stress. In order to accomplish these aims, analysis was conducted using the data of 1,392 adolescents from the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study. For statistical analysis, AMOS 20.0 was utilized for latent growth modeling and structural equation modeling. Results indicated: (1) a quadratic increase in ego-resilience of multicultural adolescents; (2) a difference in the trajectory of ego-resilience according to gender, with males displaying lower initial values and more rapid growth; (3) significant effects of neglectful parenting and bilingual competency on the trajectories of ego-resilience; and (4) mediating effects of ego-resilience between (a) neglectful parenting and acculturative stress, and (b) bilingual competence and acculturative stress. In accordance with the view of adolescents as prospective leaders in promoting a sustainable future, this study offers insight on the positive psychosocial development and well-being of multicultural adolescents.

Highlights

Adolescence is a critical period of development in the physical, emotional, and cognitive domains
A study reported that for multicultural adolescents, variables such as parental neglect, parental attention and family support had significant effects on acculturative stress [38]. These findings suggest that neglectful parenting will lower ego-resilience and increase acculturative stress among multicultural adolescents
The sample used for this study was obtained from a large dataset, the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study (MAPS), a nationwide longitudinal study constructed by the National Youth Policy Institute (NYPI)

Summary

Introduction

Adolescence is a critical period of development in the physical, emotional, and cognitive domains. This developmental period is significant in the establishment of an adolescent’s self-identity. With the onset of puberty, adolescents are more vulnerable to various risk factors as they encounter physical and emotional changes. Within the context of an ethnically homogenous society like South Korea, multicultural adolescents are more likely to be affected by risk factors, in experiencing identity confusion [1,2]. Considering the significant growth in the number of multicultural families and youths in South Korea, examining changes of ego-resilience among early adolescents of multicultural families may be beneficial in understanding and supporting multicultural adolescents’ adaptation to their dynamic environment. Focusing on the multicultural community is meaningful in that it allows researchers to consider the significance of social sustainability in seeking strategies to promote the well-being of current and future generations rooted in ethnic diversity [3,4]

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Conclusion