Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
Volume 37, Issue 3, 2006, Pages 293-311

Perceived discrimination, social support networks, and psychological well-being among three immigrant groups (Article)

Jasinskaja-Lahti I.* , Liebkind K. , Jaakkola M. , Reuter A.
  • a University of Helsinki, Finland, Department of Social Psychology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 54 (Unioninkatu 37), FIN-00014, Finland, University of Helsinki, Finland
  • b University of Helsinki, Finland, Department of Social Psychology, University of Helsinki, Finland
  • c University of Helsinki, Finland, Rehabilitation Foundation, Research and Development Unit, Rehabilitation Foundation of Finland, Finland
  • d University of Helsinki, Finland, Rehabilitation Foundation, Research and Development Unit, Rehabilitation Foundation of Finland, Finland

Abstract

The authors addressed the specific role of and contradictory results previously obtained regarding ethnic versus host support networks in influencing directly and/or buffering the impact of perceived discrimination on the well-being of immigrants. A nationwide adult probability sample (N= 2,360) included Finnish repatriates and Russian and Estonian immigrants in Finland from Russia, Estonia, and other countries of the former Soviet Union. Perceived discrimination had a significant impact on psychological well-being. The results demonstrated the importance of distinguishing between available and activated social support. In the total sample, strong evidence was obtained for the direct and the buffering effect of host support networks on well-being. In addition, social support provided by ethnic networks abroad was generally beneficial for the psychological well-being of the immigrants. Under some conditions, ethnic support networks were also beneficial for psychological well-being. © 2006 Sage Publication.

Author Keywords

perceived discrimination Repatriates Social support networks Psychological well-being Immigration

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33645695976&doi=10.1177%2f0022022106286925&partnerID=40&md5=73950fa6aba1d0791340c70fffbee6ff
DOI: 10.1177/0022022106286925
ISSN: 00220221
Cited by: 176
Original Language: English