Abstract
Purpose: The first aim of this study was to test the acculturative stress hypothesis within the Australian context
predicting that immigrant adolescents are more prone to psychological and socio-cultural adaptation problems than their
national Australian peers. The second aim of the study was to profile the socio-demographic factors underlying adaptation
problems. Methods: The study utilised stratified surveys conducted by the New South Wales Ministry of Health during the
years 2005-2008. The surveys collected information on socio-demographics, and psychological problems (i.e. emotional
problems) and socio-cultural problems (i.e. hyperactivity-inattention, peer problems, and conduct problems). Adolescents
aged 11-15 years (n = 5,779 for the total sample; n = 638, n = 5054, for immigrants and nationals, respectively) were included. Logistic regression analyses, taking observations’ weights into account, were used for the adaptation problems outcomes. Results: The two groups differed in socio-cultural adaptation problems only (specifically in hyperactivityinattention), with nationals having greater odds for this than immigrants even after adjusting for socio-demographics (adjusted OR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.23—4.06). While immigrant adolescents’ sex was associated with hyperactivity-inattention
problems only, sex was associated with emotional problems, hyperactivity-inattention problems, and conduct problems
among national adolescents. In addition, mothers’ education was associated with conduct problems and household income
was associated with peer problems among national adolescents only. Conclusions: Contrary to the acculturative stress hypothesis, this study shows that immigrant adolescents do not seem maladaptive. In addition, certain socio-demographic
factors play a differential role in the emergence of adaptation problems among immigrant and national adolescents.
predicting that immigrant adolescents are more prone to psychological and socio-cultural adaptation problems than their
national Australian peers. The second aim of the study was to profile the socio-demographic factors underlying adaptation
problems. Methods: The study utilised stratified surveys conducted by the New South Wales Ministry of Health during the
years 2005-2008. The surveys collected information on socio-demographics, and psychological problems (i.e. emotional
problems) and socio-cultural problems (i.e. hyperactivity-inattention, peer problems, and conduct problems). Adolescents
aged 11-15 years (n = 5,779 for the total sample; n = 638, n = 5054, for immigrants and nationals, respectively) were included. Logistic regression analyses, taking observations’ weights into account, were used for the adaptation problems outcomes. Results: The two groups differed in socio-cultural adaptation problems only (specifically in hyperactivityinattention), with nationals having greater odds for this than immigrants even after adjusting for socio-demographics (adjusted OR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.23—4.06). While immigrant adolescents’ sex was associated with hyperactivity-inattention
problems only, sex was associated with emotional problems, hyperactivity-inattention problems, and conduct problems
among national adolescents. In addition, mothers’ education was associated with conduct problems and household income
was associated with peer problems among national adolescents only. Conclusions: Contrary to the acculturative stress hypothesis, this study shows that immigrant adolescents do not seem maladaptive. In addition, certain socio-demographic
factors play a differential role in the emergence of adaptation problems among immigrant and national adolescents.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | American Journal of Applied Psychology |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2013 |