Immigrant Youth Research Articles

Development and initial validation of the Immigrant Optimism Questionnaire (IOQ) for immigrant-origin young adults.

Content validity was established using feedback from immigrant-origin young adults and from experts in the field. Then, using survey data from 241 immigrant-origin young adults, we examined reliability, validity, and invariance of our measure among first- and second-generation immigrants. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a single immigrant optimism factor explains significant variation in each of our indicators. Our measure was further invariant across first- and second-generation immigrant youth and demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity. Findings support the use of our measure with immigrant-origin young adults. We offer considerations for future research and highlight implications for prevention efforts.

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.

“Like They’re My Same People. They’ve Probably Been in My Shoes. . .”: Community-Based Organizations’ Role in Fostering Social and Organizational Ties for Latino/x Immigrant Youth

This is a critical qualitative case study of foreign and native-born Latino students from immigrant households who participated in an immigrant-serving community-based organization (CBO). The authors draw from Mario Small’s concepts of network ties and organizational embeddedness to examine how Latino youth talk about the impact of a CBO on their belonging and identity, the formation of social and organizational ties in shaping their educational futures, and how Latino youth perceive the organizational impact. Qualitative interviews from participating Latino immigrant youth are leveraged to illustrate social and organizational tie formation. The authors argue that CBOs that broker social and organizational ties for immigrant youth can potentially reduce inequality through creating structures and spaces that foster belonging and provide direct services. Implications are discussed.

Facilitators and barriers to mental health help-seeking in Indian immigrant youth in Gauteng, South Africa.

International literature has documented significant underutilisation of mental health services among Indian immigrants. This study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to mental health help-seeking among Indian immigrant youth in South Africa by evaluating their personal and lived experiences. A qualitative study with a phenomenological design was conducted to understand the lived experiences of Indian immigrant youth regarding mental health help-seeking. Nine participants were recruited through purposive sampling from Gauteng. Data collection was performed through online interviews exploring participants' lived experiences. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Five facilitator subthemes were identified: encouragement to seek help for mental health difficulties, social media and mass media influence, university and school environments, availability and awareness of resources, and open conversations about mental health. Four barrier subthemes emerged: individual perspectives on mental health, lack of access to resources, parental factors discouraging help-seeking, and community factors discouraging help-seeking. An improved understanding of these barriers and facilitators may allow other Indian immigrant youth to better manage their help-seeking processes while increasing awareness about similar experiences within the community.

(Un)Settling the Black-White Binary: Korean American and Immigrant Youth Navigating Racial Discourse in School Curriculum

ABSTRACT Objective: The study examines how Korean American and immigrant youth interpret the Black-White binary in U.S. history and social studies curricula. Method: Task-based interviews were conducted with 23 Korean-heritage students from two Midwestern cities. The study used Asian Critical Theory (AsianCrit) and sociocultural theory as frameworks for analyzing students’ responses. Results: This research highlights that Korean American and immigrant youth interpret the Black-White binary in school curricula in diverse ways, despite sharing an ethnic background. Conclusion: By presenting a nuanced understanding of individual community experiences, this study challenges the dominant narrative that tends to homogenize not only Korean American/immigrant students but also APIDA/A students.

Language ability and virtual mental healthcare utilisation among immigrant and refugee youth: a population-based cohort study

Background and objectivesThe widespread adoption of virtual care during the pandemic may not have been uniform across populations, including among paediatric immigrants and refugees. We sought to examine the association...

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.

The unique social-emotional challenges that bright immigrant youth face

This paper explores the social-emotional challenges faced by bright immigrant youth. We incorporate Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory to identify complexities across the model’s 5 layers. In the microsystem, cultural heritage conflicts with assimilation, disrupting support networks, suggesting the need for culturally sensitive support in schools, peer networks, and family involvement. The mesosystem highlights language and cultural barriers in family-school cooperation, recommending enhanced communication, curricular adjustments, and language support. The exosystem reveals immigration policies and discrimination exacerbate challenges, advocating for equitable educational access and cultural competence training. The macrosystem addresses societal perceptions and the recognition of giftedness, promoting equality, diversity, and positive cultural climates. Finally, the chronosystem indicates that policy changes impact developmental trajectories. Understanding these 5 socio-cultural layers and implementing targeted interventions can effectively support the social-emotional well-being and academic success of immigrant youth.

Disentangling the directionality among cultural stressors and psychosocial outcomes in recently immigrated Hispanic families: A random intercept cross-lagged panel model approach.

Research shows the impact of cultural stressors (e.g. perceived discrimination, bicultural stressors, negative context of reception) on adolescents' psychosocial outcomes. Given the presence of multiple cultural stressors in many Hispanic adolescents' lives, it is essential to examine the (a) developmental sequencing of cultural stressors among recent immigrant youth and (b) predictive effects of cultural stressors on adolescents' psychosocial outcomes. We employed a random intercept cross-lagged panel model to examine the longitudinal interplay among cultural stressors and their effects on youth outcomes using longitudinal data with six waves among 302 recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents (47% girls, Mage = 14.51, SD = .88). We observed bidirectional within-person relations and between-person associations among cultural stressors. At the within-person level, bidirectional cross-lagged effects emerged between perceived discrimination and bicultural stress, between perceived discrimination and negative context of reception, and between negative context of reception and bicultural stress. At the between-person level, bidirectional cross-lagged effects emerged only between perceived discrimination and bicultural stressors. Our findings indicate that cultural stressors explain heterogeneity in psychosocial outcomes: self-esteem was inversely predicted by all cultural stressors, whereas depressive symptoms were predicted only by perceived discrimination. In addition, optimism was predicted only by bicultural stressors, and externalizing behavior was predicted by both bicultural stressors and perceived discrimination. These results suggest that the longitudinal relationships among cultural stressors are (partly) bidirectional. Additionally, cultural stressors demonstrated differential predictive effects on psychosocial outcomes, indicating the added value of considering multiple cultural stressors and their longitudinal effects on adolescents' psychosocial outcomes.

I’m Still Nigerian: Navigating Race Through Digital Literacies

Literacy scholarship captures immigrant youth of color ethnoracial identity constructions through their digital literacy practices. Still, few studies examine how immigrant youth of African origin use digital literacy to navigate ethnoracial tensions and craft racialized identities. Drawing on raciolinguistic and postcolonial theory, this study extends and nuances existing scholarship by examining the digital literacy practices and ethnoracial identity formations of a 13-year-old Nigerian girl who migrated to the United States. Positioning my analysis within the intersection of race, language, and identity, I inquire: How does Isioma leverage digital literacies to navigate U.S. racialization and negotiate U.S. racial identity categories? Furthermore, how does Isioma employ digital literacies to construct and negotiate her ethnoracial identities? I employ a narrative analysis of home observations, semistructured interviews, and literacy artifacts. Findings illustrate how digital tools disrupt raciolinguistic perspectives against minoritized languages. Digital literacies also enable the preservation of ethnic identities and languages while influencing racialized and hybrid identity formation and narration in the physical world.

Correction: Roberg et al. A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Legal Vulnerability, Trauma, and Psychological Wellbeing in Immigrant Caregivers and Youth. Trauma Care 2024, 4, 60–74

In the original publication [...]

The 123s and affective, behavioral, and cognitives of unaccompanied Latinx Minors: A trauma-informed composite case study.

This article explores the stages where trauma is experienced (123s) and its physiopsychological impact (affect, behavior, and cognitions [ABCs]) in unaccompanied Latinx Minors through the analysis of a composite case study. Unaccompanied Latinx Minors represent a unique and growing population in the United States that warrants careful consideration from a trauma-informed and resilience-based framework. A detailed case study was implemented, triangulating caregiver and client therapy records to illustrate the framework of stages of trauma exposure (123s) and physiopsychological impact (ABCs). Latinx children often encounter various potentially traumatic experiences and adverse childhood experiences at the following stages (123s): (1) Preimmigration; (2) During immigration; and (3) Postimmigration. The extended traumas experienced by immigrant youth may easily constitute toxic stress. Moreover, once in the destination country, youth may lack coping resources or encounter stressful circumstances that prolong or exacerbate the impact of previous traumas. This continuous physiological hyperarousal can also result in changes in brain neurobiology, which further compounds the experience of other symptoms (Krupnik, 2021). These potentially complex trauma responses may manifest for these children through ABCs. The cumulative impact of these incidents may have significant effects on minors' A. Affective, B. Behavioral, and C. Cognitive functioning. Relevant clinical implications and policy recommendations for addressing the multifaceted needs of unaccompanied Latinx minors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Offering protection to immigrant youths in America: Is asylum or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status truly in the best interest of the child?

AbstractIn the United States (US), children's ‘best interest’ principles are central to child welfare policy, but their incorporation into immigration laws is less robust. Drawing on data from international and domestic policies, interviews with legal professionals and legal guidelines, we compare how Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) and asylum – the main forms of immigration relief for undocumented youths in the US – align with children's best interest principles. SIJS, while promising, undermines family integrity by imposing rigid child‐rearing standards that may penalize immigrant families. Asylum upholds family integrity, but the application process involves intense interviews and strict evidentiary standards that harm youths’ well‐being. Given asylum's high denial rates, the process often results in trauma without much promise of the permanency asylum can offer. Consequently, both SIJS and asylum fall short of protecting children's rights and best interests. We argue that how legal systems manage youths significantly affects youths’ well‐being and their access to rights and benefits. The impact of legal processes on youths should be paramount to best interest policies and practices. We conclude with policy recommendations for SIJS and asylum that better promote children's best interests.

Más que palabras: Understanding the mental health and behavioral consequences of sociodemographic risk and deportation fears in Latinx families.

Exponential increases in deportation and negative public discourse have resulted in heightened fears of profiling and deportation among Latinx immigrant families in the United States. Deportation fears could compound the inequalities Latinx families face, worsening mental and behavioral health. To better understand the mental health consequences of the climate of deportation concerns among low-income Latinx mothers in the United States, we conducted a linguistic analysis of interviews of Latinx mothers' parenting experiences, examining their use of words related to deportation fears (e.g., separado). We examined the interaction of sociodemographic risk with maternal deportation fears in predicting maternal and youth mental health. Recent immigrant Latinx mothers (N = 160) and youth (Mage = 12.88, SDage = 1.73) completed the Parent Development Interview-Revised (Slade et al., 2004), analyzed using a deportation fears custom dictionary (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count; Pennebaker et al., 2003). Mothers completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (Derogatis, 2001); youth completed the Youth Self-Report (Achenbach, 1991). Cumulative sociodemographic risk was assessed using a composite score of six risk variables. Regressions revealed significant Sociodemographic Risk × Deportation Fear interactions for maternal depression (p = .01) and youth depression (p < .01) but not for maternal anxiety, youth anxiety, or aggression. As sociodemographic risk increased, associations between deportation fears and psychopathology decreased. The adverse impact of maternal deportation fears on mental health is visible only when demographic stress is lower. Deportation fears may increase mental health risk, potentially reducing treatment seeking among families previously at lower risk. Findings underscore the importance of policy and sociocultural shifts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Parental Involvement to Promote the Social-Emotional Well-Being of Asian Immigrant Youth: A Cultural Mismatch of Teachers and Parents’ Perspectives

This conceptual paper applies the theory adaptation approach to integrate the literature concerning barriers experienced by Asian immigrant families in parental involvement, with a specific focus on comparative analysis of perspectives from Asian immigrant families and their teachers in the United States. The mismatch in the perceptions of parental involvement held by teachers and Asian immigrant parents supports the refinement and applications of the cultural mismatch theory of inequality. The theory provides a comprehensive understanding of how the misalignment between the prevailing school culture and the cultural background of practices of Asian immigrant families contribute to the barriers of parental involvement experienced by Asian immigrant families. The paper outlines implications for reducing the barriers in the communication and collaboration between schools and Asian immigrant families, improving parental involvement in schools, and promoting the social and emotional well-being of Asian immigrant youth. Impact Statement The conceptual paper is one of the first applications of the cultural mismatch theory of inequality in conceptualizing the barriers of parental involvement faced by Asian immigrant youth’s parents and teachers. It provides research and practical implications for school psychologists and other educators on improving their practices to address parental engagement barriers to promote social-emotional well-being of youth in communities of immigrants and other marginalized groups.

"Estuvimos en una hielera": Migration trauma and detainment among newcomer Latinx adolescents.

Exposure to migration-related traumatic events may increase the risk for immediate distress upon arrival and complex trauma following resettlement. Record numbers of Latinx immigrant youth are being held in detainment facilities at the border and around the country. However, little research examines the psychological sequelae of trauma among detained youth. Through addressing these gaps, this article can inform policies and best practices that adhere to human rights and foster acculturative adjustment. This article describes community collaborative research with newcomer Latinx adolescents enrolled in public high schools. Study 1 (n = 127) used quantitative data to examine whether time in detention and trauma exposure were associated with psychosocial adjustment. Study 2 (n = 46) used qualitative data to explore the lived experiences of detainment and related trauma. Study 1 results found that over a third of participants had been detained for at least 4 weeks (36%) and nearly half the participants witnessed or experienced a traumatic event (46%). Although time in detainment was not related to internalizing or externalizing symptoms, exposure to trauma was associated with more internalizing and more externalizing symptoms. Study 2 results illustrated specific detainment-related stressors, including multiple relocations, inhumane conditions, legal concerns, and family separation, as well as complex psychological sequelae, both during detainment and after resettlement, as well as some satisfactory experiences. Results contribute new understanding of the unique experiences of immigration detainment and its psychological sequelae and can inform legal, policy, and educational practices that directly impact recently resettled Latinx youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

When silence feels safer: Challenges and successes of delivering a school-based cognitive behavioral intervention to Central American unaccompanied immigrant youth.

To explore cultural and immigration-related factors, among Central American unaccompanied immigrant youth (UIY), affecting the safety and acceptability of Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), a group intervention designed to treat trauma symptoms. Thematic analysis of data from grounded theory study of group interventions to support resilience in UIY, consisting of interviews with 10 key stakeholders (5 CBITS facilitators) and 16 UIY (6 CBITS participants) from El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras, interviews conducted in Spanish, English, or Mam. Five themes emerged from interviews with CBITS facilitators and UIY: (a) Todo está bién: self-protective silence about trauma and symptom denial, (b) Chisme goes around: personal risks of disclosure, (c) marginalizing the language and world view of indigenous youth, (d) "CBITS didn't really quite land for them": adapting the curriculum and delivery, and (e) "I learn to appreciate things": benefits of the CBITS group. CBITS facilitators endorsed skill-building aspects of the groups and expressed concerns about a curriculum relying on written homework and parental support for youth with limited home country schooling, currently living with distant relatives. CBITS participants endorsed hearing about other youths' stories and learning coping skills. Models for group intervention that emphasize coping skill development and group support, while de-emphasizing the trauma narrative, should be explored and tested. Group intervention leaders should consider the impact of differences in gender, country of origin, and native language on group dynamics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

“I would love for teachers to teach in a way that relates to my culture”: African immigrant youth composing digital collages

“I would love for teachers to teach in a way that relates to my culture”: African immigrant youth composing digital collages

“Imagine Growing Up Thinking the US is the Best Opportunity”: Immigrant Origin Youth of Color Supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement on Twitter

Immigrant origin youth are among the largest growing population in the United States of America (U.S.), and are important political agents for social change. This study examines how these youth engage in interracial solidarity, particularly in digital spaces. This study used reflexive thematic analysis to analyze the Twitter posts of 36 immigrant origin youth (ages 18–23; 62.5% women) from African/Afro-Latine, Latine, and Asian origins. We examined their posts about the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and racial justice for Black Americans in 2020. We found that immigrant origin youths’ identities as racial-ethnic minorities informed their support of BLM. Further, we found racial differences in digital action such that African-origin youth focused on celebrating Blackness and calling in peers of all races, while non-African origin youth strategically amplified the work of U.S.-origin Black Americans and called in allyship in their racial-ethnic communities. Lastly, we found that African-origin youth viewed their positionality within the BLM movement differently compared to their U.S.-born Black peers due to their different relationship to chattel slavery and anti-Blackness. This study suggests that scholars and practitioners can support immigrant origin youths’ sociopolitical development by incorporating an intersectional analysis of inequities to promote collective identification and mass mobilization.

Understanding the factors related to how East and Southeast Asian immigrant youth and families access mental health and substance use services: A scoping review.

The objective of the review is to identify factors related to how East and Southeast Asian immigrant youth aged 12-24 and their families access mental health and substance use (MHSU) services. To address how East and Southeast Asian youth and their families access mental health and substance use services, a scoping review was conducted to identify studies in these databases: PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), PsychINFO, CINAHL, and Sociology Collection. Qualitative content analysis was used to deductively identify themes and was guided by Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, the process-person-context-time (PPCT) model, and the five dimensions of care accessibility (approachability, acceptability, availability and accommodation, appropriateness, affordability). Seventy-three studies met the inclusion criteria. The dimensions of healthcare accessibility shaped the following themes: 1) Acceptability; 2) Appropriateness; 3) Approachability; 4) Availability and Accommodation. Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory and the PPCT model informed the development of the following themes: 1) Immediate Environment/Proximal Processes (Familial Factors, Relationships with Peers; 2) Context (School-Based Services/Community Resources, Discrimination, Prevention, Virtual Care); 3) Person (Engagement in Services/Treatment/Research, Self-management); 4) Time (Immigration Status). The study suggests that there is a growing body of research (21 studies) focused on identifying acceptability factors, including Asian cultural values and the model minority stereotype impacting how East and Southeast Asian immigrant youth access MHSU services. This review also highlighted familial factors (16 studies), including family conflict, lack of MHSU literacy, reliance on family as support, and family-based interventions, as factors affecting how East and Southeast Asian immigrant youth access MHSU care. However, the study also highlighted a dearth of research examining how East and Southeast Asian youth with diverse identities access MHSU services. This review emphasizes the factors related to the access to MHSU services by East and Southeast Asian immigrant youth and families while providing insights that will improve cultural safety.