Value Orientations, Acculturative Stress and Mental Health Among African German Immigrants

Abstract

This study describes the relationship between value orientations, acculturative stress, and wellbeing of African migrants in Germany. Concepts from culture learning theory are applied in the context of intercultural interaction. Data were collected from 85 African migrants (males=73.4, females=26.5%; age range =18–46 years recruited from several German metropolitan areas. The participants completed the MMPI-2, a stress checklist developed by the author and Schwartz Value Survey. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis and tested with structural equation modelling. Results showed that value preferences significantly influenced mental health: African migrants who cherish self-enhancement values (power and achievement values) experience a poorer mental health than their fellow migrants who place a lower value on the same attributes. Self-transcendence values related to good mental health. Openness values predicted higher perceived racism scores.