International Journal of Psychology
Volume 49, Issue 6, 2014, Pages 503-507

Emotional suppression and well-being in immigrants and majority group members in the Netherlands (Article)

Stupar S.* , van de Vijver F.J.R. , Fontaine J.R.J.
  • a Department of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
  • b Department of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands, WorkWell: Research Unit for Economics and Management Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
  • c Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Personnel Management, Work and Organizational Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Abstract

We were interested in interethnic differences in emotional suppression. We propose a model in which suppression of specific emotional experiences (suppressive behaviours during interactions with others) mediates the relationship between emotional suppression tendency (intention to suppress emotions) and well-being, operationalised as mood disturbance, life dissatisfaction and depressive and physical symptoms. The sample consisted of 427 majority group members and 344 non-Western and 465 Western immigrants in the Netherlands. Non-Western immigrants scored higher on emotional suppression tendency and lower on well-being than the other groups. We did not find interethnic differences in suppression of specific emotional experiences. The full mediation model was supported in all groups. Interethnic differences in well-being could not be accounted for by differences in emotional suppression. © 2014 International Union of Psychological Science.

Author Keywords

The Netherlands Emotional suppression immigrants Well-being

Index Keywords

Netherlands depression Models, Psychological educational status psychological model Emotions human Repression, Psychology Self Report middle aged statistics and numerical data affect quality of life income Humans migrant psychology Cross-Cultural Comparison male Emigrants and Immigrants female cultural factor emotion adult defense mechanism Cultural Characteristics Personal Satisfaction satisfaction
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84925287215&doi=10.1002%2fijop.12040&partnerID=40&md5=44590ce924973a687c65934a3c146ad7
DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12040
ISSN: 00207594
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English