Adolescence
Volume 38, Issue 151, 2003, Pages 481-500

The cultural adjustment and mental health of Japanese immigrant youth (Review)

Yeh C.J.* , Arora A.K. , Inose M. , Okubo Y. , Li R.H. , Greene P.
  • a Program in Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States, Department of Counseling, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States
  • b Department of Applied Psychology, Steinhardt School of Education, New York University, United States
  • c Program in Counseling Psychology, Fordham University
  • d Program in Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States
  • e Program in Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States
  • f Program in Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States

Abstract

Interviews were conducted with eight Japanese immigrant youth about their experiences with respect to adjusting to life in the United States, dealing with discrimination, and coping with cultural challenges. They were also questioned about their mental health and family and peer relations. Results indicate that participants managed to maintain bicultural identities and to cope with the problems that they encountered. Nevertheless, they experienced the following difficulties: racism and prejudice, language barriers, and conflict regarding identity and values. In terms of coping, participants mostly relied on friends for support; only one had sought the help of a professional counselor. The implications of the findings are discussed in terms of working with immigrant youth from Japan.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Social Values educational status social psychology psychological aspect mental health human Social Identification Adaptation, Psychological social support language ethnology United States Humans Adolescent Asian Americans Japan male Acculturation Asian American female Review adaptive behavior cultural factor peer group Family Relations social adaptation migration family relation New York City Emigration and Immigration Social Adjustment Multilingualism social behavior
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-1642362569&partnerID=40&md5=b40d4c432e8381ff972790e69b9387b1
ISSN: 00018449
Cited by: 46
Original Language: English