Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Studies
Volume 12, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 233-249

Mental Health and Engagement in Risk Behaviors Among Migrant Adolescents in Israel: The Protective Functions of Secure Attachment, Self-Esteem, and Perceived Peer Support (Article)

Shoshani A.* , Nakash O. , Zubida H. , Harper R.A.
  • a School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya (IDC), Herzliya, Israel
  • b School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya (IDC), Herzliya, Israel
  • c Department of Political Science, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Yezreel Valley, Israel
  • d York College, City University of New York, Jamaica, NY, United States

Abstract

The study examined the role of resilience factors (self-esteem, secure attachment, and perceived peer support) in predicting mental health symptoms and engagement in risk behaviors among 144 migrant adolescents of work migrants and asylum seekers compared to 146 native-born adolescents in Israel. Migrants' age and gender were associated with mental health, higher engagement in risk behaviors among older participants, and elevated symptoms among females. Self-esteem, level of secure attachment, and supportive peer-relationships were correlated with lower mental health symptomatology among migrants. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening the interpersonal support systems of migrant youth for better mental health outcomes. © 2014 Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

Migration Self-esteem Resilience Attachment Mental health Adolescents

Index Keywords

young population Israel adolescence symptom asylum seeker mental health migrant worker migration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906346127&doi=10.1080%2f15562948.2013.827769&partnerID=40&md5=b01521eeb24c039bc00123ad4456d662
DOI: 10.1080/15562948.2013.827769
ISSN: 15562948
Cited by: 10
Original Language: English