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Immigrant Adolescents in Sweden: Acculturation and Mental Health

Pesa, Tena LU and Ashir, Mustafa LU (2017) PSYP01 20171
Department of Psychology
Abstract (Swedish)
This study examined the acculturation strategies of immigrant adolescents in Sweden and their relation to the mental health symptoms. The participants were 101 immigrant adolescents and
52 Swedish adolescents 15 to 19 years old. ‘Immigration paradox’ was examined comparing the mental health of first and second generation of immigrants and the native Swedes. Youth
Self Report was used to assess mental health symptoms and Life Orientation Test Revised to measure optimism as a positive aspect of mental health. The acculturation strategies were
assessed with Acculturation Index. The results partially supported ‘Immigration paradox’ indicating that Swedish adolescents have more mental health issues (anxiety/depression and
social problems)... (More)
This study examined the acculturation strategies of immigrant adolescents in Sweden and their relation to the mental health symptoms. The participants were 101 immigrant adolescents and
52 Swedish adolescents 15 to 19 years old. ‘Immigration paradox’ was examined comparing the mental health of first and second generation of immigrants and the native Swedes. Youth
Self Report was used to assess mental health symptoms and Life Orientation Test Revised to measure optimism as a positive aspect of mental health. The acculturation strategies were
assessed with Acculturation Index. The results partially supported ‘Immigration paradox’ indicating that Swedish adolescents have more mental health issues (anxiety/depression and
social problems) compared to their immigrant peers from second generation and report more somatic complaints compared to both generations of immigrant peers. Moreover, the results
indicated that the first generation of immigrant adolescents has more mental health issues (social problems and withdrawal/depression) than the second generation. Also, assimilation as
acculturation strategy is proved to be the most used by participants and the most beneficial to mental health. Unexpectedly, separated immigrant adolescents reported being most optimistic.
The given findings are expected to expand knowledge on the acculturation process of current immigrant adolescents and its related outcomes with the aim to improve social policies and
mental health interventions for this vulnerable population. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Pesa, Tena LU and Ashir, Mustafa LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYP01 20171
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
immigrant adolescents, acculturation strategies, mental health, ‘immigration paradox’, optimism
language
English
id
8926107
date added to LUP
2017-09-26 13:14:25
date last changed
2017-09-26 13:14:25
@misc{8926107,
  abstract     = {{This study examined the acculturation strategies of immigrant adolescents in Sweden and their relation to the mental health symptoms. The participants were 101 immigrant adolescents and
52 Swedish adolescents 15 to 19 years old. ‘Immigration paradox’ was examined comparing the mental health of first and second generation of immigrants and the native Swedes. Youth
Self Report was used to assess mental health symptoms and Life Orientation Test Revised to measure optimism as a positive aspect of mental health. The acculturation strategies were
assessed with Acculturation Index. The results partially supported ‘Immigration paradox’ indicating that Swedish adolescents have more mental health issues (anxiety/depression and
social problems) compared to their immigrant peers from second generation and report more somatic complaints compared to both generations of immigrant peers. Moreover, the results
indicated that the first generation of immigrant adolescents has more mental health issues (social problems and withdrawal/depression) than the second generation. Also, assimilation as
acculturation strategy is proved to be the most used by participants and the most beneficial to mental health. Unexpectedly, separated immigrant adolescents reported being most optimistic.
The given findings are expected to expand knowledge on the acculturation process of current immigrant adolescents and its related outcomes with the aim to improve social policies and
mental health interventions for this vulnerable population.}},
  author       = {{Pesa, Tena and Ashir, Mustafa}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Immigrant Adolescents in Sweden: Acculturation and Mental Health}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}