Friend Support As a Buffer Against Engagement in Problem Behaviors Among Ethnically Harassed Immigrant Adolescents

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate whether support from a friend protects against the negative effects of ethnic harassment on engagement in delinquent and violent behaviors among immigrant adolescents in Sweden ( n = 365; X = 13.93, SD = .80). We found that when ethnically harassed immigrant adolescents received friend support, they were less likely to engage in problem behaviors concurrently. Yet, friend support did not moderate the longitudinal associations between ethnic harassment and problem behaviors. These findings highlight the important role of supportive friendship relations in counteracting the detrimental effects of ethnic harassment on externalizing problems, particularly in the short term.

Why Do Ethnically Harassed Immigrant Adolescents Engage in Violent Behaviors? The Role of Affiliation With Violent Peers

“…Consistent with the “migration-morbidity” perspective, recent studies in Sweden (Hällsten et al, 2013; Kardell, 2011; Martens & Holmberg, 2005) have unequivocally concluded that immigrant youth have higher rates of criminal offending, particularly violent crimes, compared to native Swedish youth. At the same time, a mounting body of research has consistently identified ethnicity-based harassment as a culturally salient factor that may put immigrant adolescents at higher risk of engaging in violent behaviors (Bayram Özdemir et al, 2019; Korol et al, 2020; McKenney, Pepler, Craig, & Connolly, 2006). Little, however, is understood about the underlying processes that may explain this link.…”

“…However, as demonstrated in the current study, being accepted by peers can be particularly challenging for immigrant youth, and having a different cultural origin easily makes them targets of peer victimization. Being exposed to stressful experiences of ethnic harassment at school may not only harm immigrant adolescents’ well-being but also prompt them to engage in antisocial behaviors (e.g., Bayram Özdemir et al, 2019; Korol et al, 2020). With growing concerns over antisocial behaviors, street gangs, and criminality among immigrant youth across Europe, including Sweden, these findings may become increasingly significant.…”

“…Students were presented with a stem question (“Have you been exposed to the following during this school semester?”); then, they were asked to respond to each of the six questions on a 5-point scale, ranging from “1” ( Never ) to “5” ( Daily ). Sample items included “Has anyone looked at you in a way that makes you certain they have a negative attitude toward you, just because you or your parents come from another country?” “Has anyone said anything derogatory about your origin, for example, used words like nigger, darky, damned immigrant, inkface, ching-chong, or something else?” This scale has been previously used to measure the ethnic harassment experiences of adolescents in Sweden (e.g., Bayram Özdemir & Stattin, 2014; Hagborg, Berglund, & Fahlke, 2018; Korol et al, 2020) and evidence for its predictive validity has been provided (Bayram Özdemir & Stattin, 2014). The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the scale showed good fit indices, χ 2 (8) = 16.99, p = .03, confirmatory fit index (CFI) = 0.98, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.05, and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.03.…”

“…Although ethnic harassment is conceptually similar to ethnic discrimination, it can be observed only in peer interactions and is often enacted through repetitive and intentionally spiteful peer actions (Hoglund & Hosan, 2013). Prior research has provided substantial evidence that ethnic harassment has detrimental consequences for immigrant adolescents’ engagement in violent, aggressive, and delinquent behaviors (e.g., Bayram Özdemir et al, 2019; Korol, Bayram Özdemir, & Stattin, 2020; Maes, Stevens, & Verkuyten, 2014 see also Rojas-Gaona, Hong, & Peguero, 2016). For example, a recent study in Sweden (Korol et al, 2020) found that immigrant youth who were exposed to ethnicity-based victimization at school were more likely to display non-violent delinquent and violent behaviors, particularly in the short-term perspective.…”

“…Prior research has provided substantial evidence that ethnic harassment has detrimental consequences for immigrant adolescents’ engagement in violent, aggressive, and delinquent behaviors (e.g., Bayram Özdemir et al, 2019; Korol, Bayram Özdemir, & Stattin, 2020; Maes, Stevens, & Verkuyten, 2014 see also Rojas-Gaona, Hong, & Peguero, 2016). For example, a recent study in Sweden (Korol et al, 2020) found that immigrant youth who were exposed to ethnicity-based victimization at school were more likely to display non-violent delinquent and violent behaviors, particularly in the short-term perspective. Importantly, the study revealed that this relation was significant, above and beyond the contribution of school ethnic composition, perceived socio-economic status, and general harassment.…”