Previous research predicting adjustment outcomes of immigrants has relied narrowly on demographic variables and general skills, which often are inadequate. The present study utilized a multidimensional conceptualization of acculturation and employed psychologically relevant variables to examine how immigrants of distinct Asian backgrounds may organize their skills and resources following culture change. Immigrants' goals for coming to this new host country were examined as just such a potentially important organizing principle, using data from the National Latino and Asian American Study for Southeast (SE) Asian and Chinese adult immigrants (N = 1,638). Principal component analyses revealed that SE Asians immigrated to the U.S. based on three goals/reasons (opportunity, political, and personal reasons) whereas Chinese immigrated based on two goals/reasons (opportunity-focused and problem-focused reasons). Zero-order correlations indicated that the two Asian subgroups differed in the relationships between goals and outcomes. Hierarchical multiple regressions suggested that goals/reasons for immigration predicted Asian immigrants' overall psychosocial well-being for each group above and beyond demographic variables and English skills. Implications for future research on more successful adaptation and coping following cultural transition are discussed. © 2011 American Psychological Association.

Adjustment English proficiency Acculturation Immigration Goals

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