Immigrant Adolescents Research Articles

Beyond Dichotomy: Understanding Violent Offending and Victimization Among Immigrant Youths

ABSTRACT Research has suggested a pattern of lower levels of crime and victimization among first-generation immigrants than subsequent generations. A distinct drawback of most previous research is its focus on the premise of immigrants as either aggressive offenders or submissive victims. Little is known about the co-occurrence of these roles among immigrant groups. Using a longitudinal, national representative sample of school-aged adolescents in the U.S. this study provides an empirical assessment of how generational differences in violent offending and victimization vary when the victim-offender is considered a group separate from victim only and offender only. The findings of this study shed light on our understanding of the often-understudied topic of the victim – offender overlap among immigrant adolescents and can help identify specific targets for anti-violence/victimization intervention and prevention programs.

Sense of belongingness, discrimination, and mental health: Associations and buffering effects of sense of belonging on mental health among Finnish native and immigrant-origin youth

A sense of belonging is crucial for mental health and well-being, but immigrants may find achieving a sense of belonging elusive. This study examined the relationship between sense of belonging and mental health among Finnish native, and first- and second-generation immigrant adolescents (N = 61 540) in Finland. Moreover, we estimated whether sense of belonging buffered the negative effect of experienced discrimination on mental health. Immigrants were split into two groups based on their countries of origin: Iraq, Iran, Somalia, and Afghanistan (MENAP, predominantly forced migration), and to immigrant adolescents from other countries (OCO, predominantly voluntary migration). Using structural equation modelling, we estimated the association of sense of belonging with symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety, and positive mental well-being. Finally, we conducted moderation analyses to estimate whether sense of belonging mitigated the negative effect of discrimination on mental health. Our findings revealed a strong negative link between sense of belonging and symptoms of depression, and anxiety, particularly among first-generation MENAP youth. The positive relation of sense of belonging with mental well-being was weaker among all groups, especially among first-generation. Importantly, sense of belonging buffered the negative effect of discrimination on mental health, mostly with similar estimates across groups. We discuss the possible reasons explaining the group differences and present possible actions needed for schools and mental health services in addressing the needs of immigrant youth.

How Parenting Facilitates Adolescents’ Tricultural Identity Development: A Mixed Methods Collective Case Study of Tridimensionally Acculturating Black Jamaican Immigrant Families

This article presents a mixed methods collective case study of the role of maternal socialization in shaping the tricultural identity development of Jamaican immigrant adolescents in the United States, who are known to acculturate tridimensionally. Seven Black adolescents (14–18 years; four male) completed online surveys and their Jamaican-born mothers completed online interviews during the dual COVID-19 and Whiteness pandemics. In-depth mixed methods case analyses and cross-case comparisons revealed both particulars and universals. Across all cases, adolescents had strong Jamaican private identities shaped by steady proximal and remote enculturation into Jamaican culture, and mothers’ skillful authoritative parenting supported their autonomy in acquiring and navigating U.S. cultural affiliations. Case particulars grouped adolescents into four profiles with one case fitting two profiles. 1) “Triculturals” had strong Jamaican or multicultural socialization with positive psychological and academic adaptation, but differing multicultural identity conflict. 2) “Reluctant Majority Culture Assimilators” had high achievement but differing psychological adaptation with mothers whose socialization first involved accepting their teens’ African American identities. 3) “Majority Culture Rejectors” had high belonging and no psychological distress but low average grades with maternal socialization that promoted the American Dream master narrative and resisted the alternative narrative of negative linked fate of ethnic minorities. 4) Finally, “Minority Culture Assimilators” had low multicultural identity conflict but differing psychological and academic adaptation and were being socialized by their mothers to resist being either victim or perpetrator of racial discrimination by harnessing cultural variability to play up and play down cultural identities and by avoiding use of ethnic-racial generalizations.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Perceived Social Support Among Iraqi and Syrian Immigrant and Refugee Adolescents in Türkiye

This study determined the levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and perceived social support among 109 Iraqi and 136 Syrian immigrant secondary school students residing in Bolu, Türkiye. The participants, who had previously experienced trauma, were compared with 143 Turkish adolescents. The refugee children had significantly higher scores for both PTSD and depression, and lower scores for social support. While there were no significant gender differences for the three variables, older students had higher PTSD scores. Immigrant students who had lived in Türkiye for four years or longer had lower depression, higher social support, and social support from a special person. Degree of problems with Turkish language had no effect, while those with Turkish friends had significantly higher scores for perceived social support and family social support than those who did not. Surprisingly, students whose families had immigrated for educational reasons had higher PTSD scores and lower family social support scores than those that immigrated due to conflicts. A regression analysis, conducted to predict depression via PTSD and social support, showed that the two variables accounted for 25% of the variance in depression scores.

The Immigration–Crime Nexus: Inner and Outer Containment Buffer or A Push Toward Delinquency

The ongoing debate over the immigration–crime nexus has continued to attract a wide range of research efforts in the criminal justice field. To build on these initiatives, this study not only examines the relationship between immigrants and adolescent crime but also explores attributes derived from containment effects that may contribute to or shield individuals from deviant behavior in America. Results showed that both immigrant and native-born adolescents share similar external attributes rather than internal traits that affect delinquency. For instance, inherent immigration status and identity is relatively more influential on self-reported substance problems among immigrant youth compared to their native-born counterparts. Interestingly, among external attributes, immigrant and native-born adolescents are responsive to legitimate opportunity and neighborhood order in different ways which thrust them into different deviant pathways.

Changes in peer belonging, school climate, and the emotional health of immigrant, refugee, and non-immigrant early adolescents.

Early adolescents who are new to Canada experience dual challenges of navigating developmental changes and multiple cultures. This study examined how changes in early adolescents' emotional health from ages 9 to 12 differed by immigration background, and to what extent peer belonging and supportive school climate protected or promoted their emotional health. This study drew upon linked self-report and administrative data. Across 10 school districts in British Columbia, Canada, N = 4479 non-immigrant, immigrant, and refugee adolescents reported on their peer belonging, school climate, and emotional health (life satisfaction, optimism, self-esteem, sadness, worries) in Grades 4 and 7, using the Middle Years Development Instrument. Immigration background including immigration class (economic, family, refugee) and generation status (first, second) were obtained from linked Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada data. Multi-level modeling assessed the effect of time (grade level), immigration group, and changes in peer belonging and school climate on changes in self-reported emotional health. Analyses were adjusted for gender, English first language, and low family income. Immigrant and refugee adolescents reported worse emotional health in Grade 4 compared to non-immigrants. Non-immigrant and immigrant adolescents reported declines in emotional health from Grades 4 to 7. In contrast, first-generation refugee adolescents reported significant improvements in life satisfaction, and first- and second-generation refugees reported improvements in worries over this period. Perceived improvements in peer belonging and school climate were associated with positive changes in emotional health for all adolescents. Changes in adolescents' emotional health from Grades 4 to 7 differed between immigrants, refugees, and non-immigrants. Immigrants and refugees who enter adolescence with lower emotional health than their non-immigrant peers may particularly benefit from culturally responsive school and community-based interventions.

Promoting Positive School Climate Among Newcomer Immigrant Adolescents: A Qualitative Exploration of Perceptions and Recommendations

Despite various strengths, newcomer immigrant adolescents (NIA) are exposed to stressors that can negatively impact their adjustment to U.S. schools, resulting in social-emotional and academic concerns. School climate has been identified as a crucial system-level intervention for NIA. While there is consensus regarding supporting NIAs’ adjustment to U.S. schools, specific recommendations within the school climate literature are lacking. This study used semi-structured interviews to explore NIAs’ (N = 15) perceptions of school climate and recommendations for improving school climate. Interview data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Four themes emerged: (a) academic placement impacts learning, (b) the cultural and linguistic background of peers is relevant to NIA peer relationships, (c) supportive school staff consider unique NIA needs, and (d) recommendations offered to foster adjustment to U.S. schools. The results of this study can inform what aspects of school climate are most critical to improving academic and social emotional outcomes of NIA. Impact Statement Newcomer immigrant adolescents (NIA) are a growing group of youth in U.S. schools. This paper examined NIAs’ perceptions of school climate and elicited recommendations to improve school climate.

The Effect of Parent’s Support on School Adaptation of Immigrant Adolescents : Mediating Effect of Self-esteem and Moderating Effect of Cultural Adaptation Stress

The Effect of Parent’s Support on School Adaptation of Immigrant Adolescents : Mediating Effect of Self-esteem and Moderating Effect of Cultural Adaptation Stress

Social Support Among Adolescents Across Immigrant Generations: A Mixed-Methods Study

The present mixed methods study explored perceived differences in social support across three immigrant generations of early adolescents residing in Canada. A total of 960 first-generation ( n = 249, M age = 13.02, σ = .69, 54.2% girls), second-generation ( n = 327, M age = 12.88, σ = .69, 57.5% girls) and third-plus-generation ( n = 384, M age = 12.81, σ = .69, 57.3% girls) early adolescent immigrants completed the self-reported Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale, and 16 of them participated in individual interviews on social support. Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA), in which we controlled for sex, mother tongue, and socioeconomic status (SES), showed that second-generation early adolescents perceived significantly less social support from their mother, teachers, school personnel, and classmates compared to their first- and/or third-plus-generation counterparts. Our mixed methods analysis revealed that these second-generation youth perceived several barriers to social support, such as an unsatisfactory quality of their relationships with these sources, a negative attitude from these sources, their limited availability or involvement, and their ineffectiveness in providing certain types of support. These findings highlight the importance of better understanding the unique challenges facing second-generation early adolescents in order to provide social support adapted to their needs.

From the Middle East to America: Examining Acculturative Factors of Adolescent Immigration

Global immigration necessitates acculturation which is the process of adapting to cultural norms while maintaining aspects of origin-country culture. Acculturation is the process through which individuals adapt to the culture, norms, and belief systems of their host country (Sayegh & Lasry, 1993; Yeh et al., 2008). Acculturation is difficult for adolescents because they are undergoing identity formation throughout immigration. For Middle Eastern individuals in particular, cultural differences, threat of harmful stereotyping, and socioeconomic difficulties further complicate this process. This study examined factors that relate to acculturation for Middle Eastern immigrants who immigrated during adolescence. Eight participants were interviewed for this study and interview transcriptions were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results found three overarching themes related to community, personal identity, and American infrastructure. Further research should be conducted to explore each of these constructs in detail to ensure Middle Eastern adolescent immigrants can receive acculturative support and to reduce the stigma held by the American public around Middle Eastern individuals.

Caregiver experienced racism, acculturative stress, and political hostility predict anxiety in Latinx families residing in the United States.

Cultural stress potently predicts mental health inequities, such as anxiety, among adult and adolescent immigrants in the United States. However, less work has focused on preadolescence, a period marked by neurodevelopmental and psychosocial changes that can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Latina girls, who exhibit heightened levels of untreated anxiety, may be at elevated risk. The present study tests whether cultural stress predicts anxiety symptoms in Latina girls and their caregivers. The primary caregivers of 161 predominantly Mexican-identifying Latina girls (Mage = 10.70, SD = 1.68) reported their exposure to racism, acculturative stress, and political hostility. They also reported their own and their daughter's anxiety severity. To index cultural stress, a principal component was extracted from composite scores of the racism, acculturative stress, and political hostility questionnaires. Hierarchical regression analyses then tested whether the multidetermined cultural stress component predicted caregiver and child anxiety, with child age, annual household income, and subjective socioeconomic status entered at the first step. Cultural stress positively predicted caregiver (ΔR² = .13, p < .001) and child (ΔR² = .15, p < .001) anxiety symptoms over and above the observed inverse effects of subjective socioeconomic status, such that higher levels of cultural stress were associated with elevated levels of caregiver (ß = .37, p < .001) and child (ß = .39, p < .001) anxiety symptoms. The results of this study highlight the role of racism, acculturative stress, and political hostility in escalating anxiety symptoms in Latinx families and identify cultural stress as a factor that likely contributes to the high rates of anxiety in Latina girls during a key developmental period. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Generational Dissonance or Cultural Persistence? European Immigration and the Intergenerational Transmission of Gender Beliefs

Abstract Contemporary perspectives on gender highlight the multilevel processes that maintain the gender system, from the hegemonic cultural beliefs embedded in state institutions to the gendered interactions that occur in everyday life. This study investigates immigration as a source of diversity and adaptation in the gender system. Using data on immigrant and native adolescents in the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Survey in Four European Countries (CILS4EU), we examine the intergenerational transmission of attitudes about the domestic division of labor. Our results show a strong association between mother’s gender attitudes and child’s gender attitudes among both immigrants and natives, with no significant difference between the two groups. The persistence of beliefs grounded in family culture results in significantly higher levels of gender traditionalism among adolescent children of immigrants as compared to their native peers. These results underscore the centrality of families as a relational context that contributes both to the reproduction of cultural beliefs about gender and the slow pace of shifts in hegemonic gender beliefs in response to social change.

Beyond Asset-Based Frameworks: Middle School Teachers Perpetuating Raciolinguistic Paradigms

This phenomenological study explored how middle school teachers experience teaching racially/ethnically minoritized newcomer adolescent students in Arizona. Through a Critical Race Theory framework, this qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to illustrate how even the best intentions and asset-based approaches of six white middle school teachers may still perpetuate existing systems of oppression. Though most teachers emphasized student strengths, they also unintentionally promoted harmful ideology and reported feeling limited in how they could support students given federal, state, and local policies that segregate students through identification, placement, and accountability policies. Arizona, as the only state with restrictive language policies requiring English-only instruction, presented a unique context in how racially/ethnically minoritized newcomer immigrant students were educated and ultimately (mis)treated. Implications and recommendations for school psychologists to combat systemic inequities and further support teachers will be discussed. Impact Statement This qualitative study used a Critical Race Theory framework to examine how middle school teachers can inadvertently disserve racially/ethnically minoritized newcomer immigrant adolescents in Arizona. Despite asset-based perspectives, teachers may perpetuate raciolinguistic injustices as a result of hegemonic policy positioning English and whiteness as norms.

Human papillomavirus vaccine coverage among immigrant adolescents in Alberta: a population-based cohort study.

Little is known about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among immigrant children in Canada. We conducted a study in Alberta, Canada to assess HPV vaccine coverage among school-aged immigrant children compared with non-immigrant children. This cohort study analysed population-based linked administrative health data to measure HPV vaccine coverage for 346749 school-aged children, including 31656 immigrants. Coverage was examined at 12y of age from 2008 to 2018 for females, and from 2014 to 2018 for males and both sexes combined; vaccine series completion was considered receipt of three doses, with initiation (one or more dose) as a supplementary analysis. Multivariable logistic regression examined the association of vaccine coverage with migration status, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Between 2014 and 2018, HPV vaccination coverage among immigrant children at age 12y was significantly higher (52.58%) compared with non-immigrant children (47.41%). After controlling for place of residence, income quintile, biological sex and year, immigrant children had 1.10 greater odds (95% confidence interval 1.07 to 1.14) of receiving three doses of HPV vaccine compared with non-immigrant children. Immigrants from Asia and Africa had the highest coverage (60.25-68.78%), while immigrants from North America, Oceania and South America had the lowest coverage (39.97-48.36%). It is encouraging that immigrant children had higher HPV vaccine coverage compared with non-immigrants. Among immigrants, routine immunization promotion strategies should be tailored based on the country of origin.

“Sex Out of Boredom”: Key Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Teen Pregnancy Prevention in Emerging Immigrant Latino Rural Communities

Abstract Introduction Teen pregnancy (TP) rates are 1.5 times higher among Latina youth than the United States national average and one-third times higher in rural counties. The Socio-Ecological framework recognizes the myriad of issues that impact TP, including four bidirectional levels of influence on teenagers’ behaviors: macro, community, institutional, and interpersonal levels. We aim to fill critical knowledge gaps regarding the influence of key community stakeholders living in rural, Latino-majority communities shaping Latino/a, immigrant adolescents’ TP-related environments. Methods A purposive sample of 48 key stakeholders was drawn from three rural counties (Finney, Ford, and Seward) in southwestern Kansas from 2016 to 2017; participants completed a brief demographic survey and a semi-structured qualitative interview. Qualitative data analysis followed grounded theory within a Socio-Ecological framework, and we used descriptive statistics to analyze survey data. Results Respondents (N = 48) included 5 public health department staff, 8 community health workers, 8 healthcare workers, 9 community members, and 18 high school/college administrators. The mean age was 43 years (SD = 15.5) and 50% self-identified as Latino/a. Recommendations included developing TP prevention education programs for parents, utilizing ongoing events and familiar venues, and keeping content consistent with local culture and norms. Conclusions Key stakeholders’ perceptions regarding TP are often unaccounted for but play a role in shaping youth’s decision-making environments. Policy Implications This information could inform the development of culturally specific TP prevention interventions, especially considering the controversial politics centered on immigration to the U.S. and its negative impact on the overall health of Immigrant Latinos living in the U.S.

Which Coping Strategies Alleviate or Perpetuate Anxiety Symptoms in the Context of Perceived Ethnic Discrimination in Adolescents With an Immigrant Background?

Many biopsychosocial changes occur in early adolescence. Adolescents with an immigrant background face additional challenges, such as ethnic discrimination, which is associated with anxiety symptoms. Studies among immigrant adults have shown that using strategies to cope with ethnic discrimination is associated with decreased anxiety. Little is known on how coping strategies could alleviate or perpetuate anxiety symptoms in the context of ethnic discrimination in early adolescence. This study assessed the coping strategies that moderate the association between ethnic discrimination and anxiety symptoms in 512 first- (born abroad; n = 241) and second-generation (at least one parent born abroad; n = 271) adolescents ( Mage = 12.97; SD = .75; 55% girls). Results suggest that religious coping and substance use have a positive moderating effect on the association between ethnic discrimination and anxiety symptoms. These findings add to knowledge on coping strategies among immigrant early adolescents facing discrimination.

Screening parent-adolescent relationships, screen behaviors, tridimensional acculturation, and health among Black immigrant and refugee adolescents during dual pandemics.

This brief report assesses parent-adolescent relationships, screen behaviors, and tridimensional acculturation as risk and promotive or protective factors for health among Black U.S. immigrant or refugee adolescents during the dual COVID-19 and racism or Whiteness pandemics. Eighty-nine immigrant- or refugee-origin adolescents completed online surveys (72% Somali American, 28% Jamaican American; 45% female; 15% foreign-born; M = 14.11 years). Regression analyses revealed that parental autonomy support, parental restrictive media mediation, and adolescent heritage culture identification were promotive of better screen media use behaviors. Only adolescent media literacy self-efficacy was related to higher screen time. Importantly, screen self-regulation was a better predictor of general health than screen time. Results highlight many parenting strengths in Black immigrant or refugee families and underscore the resilience-promoting power of parent-adolescent relationships. Health implications are discussed to provide guidance for future prevention efforts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The impact of acculturation and psychological wellbeing on South Asian immigrant adolescents and youth: a scoping review

Among the global immigrant population, one of the fastest growing populations is the South Asian community. South Asian youth have experienced difficulties acculturating to the host culture. These difficulties have caused issues relating to identity and conflicts with family members relating to dating, marriage, and education. This scoping review will aim to summarize the literature available on acculturation and psychological well-being. The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and Askey & O’Malley’s approach to data extraction. During the initial search, 220 full-text articles were retrieved from the APA PsycInfo, Web of Science, Medline, and Scopus databases. Ten articles were included in the final review. The following four themes were formulated: acculturation style, family conflict, coping style, and discrimination. We highlight that policies supporting collaboration between mental health practitioners, educators, researchers, and South Asian communities are critical for creating intervention programs that help South Asian families.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of migrant young people in Ireland

ABSTRACT The world-wide COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted education, with school closures leading to a shift to remote learning. Existing and emerging research has shown that even a relatively short period of missed school has negative consequences for academic and social outcomes among children and young people, especially for those from more vulnerable families. While emerging research drawing on cross-sectional data has focussed on how the pandemic has affected immigrant youth, there is a paucity of longitudinal studies in this field. In this paper, we used the longitudinal Growing Up in Ireland study to investigate and analyse the wellbeing of migrant-origin 12-year-olds in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our research shows that compared to their Irish peers, immigrant adolescents had poorer wellbeing, partly related to differences in family support for remote learning, in experiences of poor-quality interaction with peers and in levels of family strain.

How discrimination experiences relate to racial/ethnic identity and mental health across first- and second-generation Vietnamese American adolescents.

Racial/ethnic discrimination has been linked to behavioral and emotional problems in youth from marginalized groups. However, the psychological experience associated with discrimination may differ between immigrant and nonimmigrant youth. Race-based discrimination may impact an adolescent's view of their own group (private regard) and/or their sense of how others view their group (public regard). Owing to differences in racialization, immigrant adolescents may be affected differently by experiences of discrimination than their U.S.-born peers. The present study examined whether nativity moderated the paths from racial/ethnic discrimination to private and public regard to mental health problems among Vietnamese American youth. Surveys were completed by 718 Vietnamese American 10th and 11th graders (Mage = 15.54 years, 61.4% female, 38.6% male). In this sample, 21.2% were first-generation (i.e., born outside of the United States) and 78.8% were second-generation (i.e., born in the United States with at least one parent born outside of the United States). Multigroup path analysis tested the direct and indirect effects of racial/ethnic discrimination on behavioral and emotional problems via private and public regard and whether associations differed for first- versus second-generation youth. Racial/ethnic discrimination was associated with lower public regard, but not private regard, for both first- and second-generation Vietnamese American youth. Public regard was negatively associated with behavioral and emotional problems only among second-generation youth. No indirect effects were significant. Findings suggest differences in racialized experiences, as well as opportunities to support second-generation Vietnamese American and other marginalized youth from immigrant families from the mental health impacts of discrimination. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).