Migrant Ethnic Identity and Psychological Distress

Abstract

Although a considerable amount of research has addressed aspects of refugee and migrant adjustment to their new country of residence, little attention has been given to the causal impact of migrant ethnic identity on the adjustment process. To assess this issue, a model of migrant psychological distress was developed in which ethnic identity was predicted to influence personal coping resources (i.e., self-esteem, self-mastery, interpersonal trust) and external coping resources (i.e., tangible, appraisal, esteem, and sense of belonging social support) that, in turn, were predicted to influence migrants' psychological well-being. The model was tested on a sample of 270 male and female Vietnamese migrants. The results revealed that ethnic identity was a significant but not a strong predictor of migrant distress, via self-esteem. The implications of the findings for theories of identity and migrant adaptation are discussed.

The Role of Psychosocial Resources in the Adjustment of Migrant Adolescents

“…This stated that the four psychosocial resources are positively correlated with the two adjustment indices. In support, seven of eight correlations were significant in predicted directions, a finding that is broadly consistent with previous studies (e.g., Birman & Chan, 2008;Chao & Otsuki-Clutter, 2011;Gaylord-Harden et al, 2007;Hall-Lande et al, 2007;Harker, 2001;Wolfradt, Hemple, & Miles, 2003;Nesdale, Rooney, & Smith, 1997). The single non-significant effect, that of ethnic identity on depression, while unexpected, is not entirely at odds with past research showing that ethnic identity is more strongly related to positive wellbeing than to compromised wellbeing (Smith & Silva, 2011).…”

“…Subsequent theory and research has highlighted the multidimensionality of the identity construct, and the importance, especially for members of ethnic minority groups, of achieving a clear and positive sense of their ethnic identity (Phinney & Ong, 2007;Rivas-Drake et al, 2014). Phinney and Ong cite Tajfel's (1981, p. 255) Drake et al, 2014;Williams, Chapman, Wong, & Turheimer, 2012) and in migrants (Nesdale, Rooney, & Smith, 1997), an effect that may be due to the role of ethnic identity in bolstering coping resources and reducing adverse effects of discrimination (Williams, Chapman, Wong, & Turkheimer, 2012).…”

Immigrant students’ shifting identifications in South African schools

“…'Psychosocial passing' (Berry, 1997;Nesdale et al, 1997;Suarez-Orozco, 2000) is one way of overcoming the effects of the social mirror. Psychosocial passing refers to people who seek to render invisible the visible differences between themselves and a desired or chosen reference group.…”

Acculturation and theschool

“…After all, a strong commitment towards the global school culture may be combined with loosening or even losing social relationships anchored in the immigrant culture. Studies (Nesdale, Rooney, & Smith, 1997;Phinney, Vedder, & Kwak, 2005) show that this may correspond to lower levels of well-being and more social adjustment problems.…”