Journal of Youth and Adolescence
Volume 30, Issue 4, 2001, Pages 449-463

Psychological adjustment among Israeli adolescent immigrants: A report on life satisfaction, self-concept, and self-esteem (Article)

Ullman C.* , Tatar M.
  • a Division of Counseling, School of Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
  • b Division of Counseling, School of Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Abstract

Our research examined central issues in the psychological adjustment of adolescents who immigrate: self-concept, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Questionnaires were administered to newcomers from the former Soviet Union (n = 119) as well as to their Israeli host classmates (n = 135) attending secondary schools. Our findings indicate that immigrant adolescents as compared to their counterparts express less satisfaction with their lives and report less congruence between their self-concept and the ways in which in their opinion they are perceived by others. The 2 groups do not differ in global self-esteem. Among the immigrants, the length of stay in Israel was related to the extent of their life satisfaction, and to the degree of similarity between the constituents of their self-concept and those of their classmates. Across the sample, gender and age were also related to self-esteem and self-concept. Our discussion highlights the psychological tasks faced by immigrant adolescents and provides possible implications for enhancing their well-being.

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0035598339&doi=10.1023%2fA%3a1010445200081&partnerID=40&md5=32091ae6802f5deae5dda2b341c8bc10

DOI: 10.1023/A:1010445200081
ISSN: 00472891
Cited by: 55
Original Language: English