International Journal of Psychology
Volume 50, Issue 6, 2015, Pages 440-450

Longitudinal trajectories of bicultural identity integration in recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents: Links with mental health and family functioning (Article)

Schwartz S.J.* , Unger J.B. , Baezconde-Garbanati L. , Benet-Martínez V. , Meca A. , Zamboanga B.L. , Lorenzo-Blanco E.I. , Rosiers S.E.D. , Oshri A. , Sabet R.F. , Soto D.W. , Pattarroyo M. , Huang S. , Villamar J.A. , Lizzi K.M. , Szapocznik J.
  • a Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
  • b Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • c Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • d Department of Political and Social Sciences, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
  • e Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
  • f Department of Psychology, Smith College, Northampton, MA, United States
  • g Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
  • h Department of Psychology, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL, United States
  • i Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
  • j Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
  • k Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • l Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • m Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
  • n Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
  • o Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
  • p Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States

Abstract

This study examined, in a sample of recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents in Miami and Los Angeles, the extent to which bicultural identity integration (BII; involving the ability to synthesise one's heritage and receiving cultural streams and to identify as a member of both cultures) is best understood as a developmental construct that changes over time or as an individual-difference construct that is largely stable over time. We were also interested in the extent to which these trajectories predicted mental health and family functioning. Recent-immigrant 9th graders (N = 302) were assessed 6 times from 9th to 12th grade. Latent class growth analyses using the first 5 timepoints identified 2 trajectory classes-one with lower BII scores over time and another with higher BII scores over time. Higher heritage and US identity at baseline predicted membership in the higher BII class. At the 6th study timepoint, lower BII adolescents reported significantly poorer self-esteem, optimism, prosocial behaviour and family relationships compared with their higher BII counterparts. These findings are discussed in terms of further research on the over-time trajectory of biculturalism, and on the need to develop interventions to promote BII as a way of facilitating well-being and positive family functioning. © 2015 International Union of Psychological Science.

Author Keywords

Hispanic Identity Mental health Family functioning Biculturalism Acculturation

Index Keywords

mental health human Hispanic Americans Humans migrant psychology Hispanic Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation female individuality cultural factor Family Relations migration family relation Emigration and Immigration Cultural Characteristics
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84954401743&doi=10.1002%2fijop.12196&partnerID=40&md5=78bda4aa9c7b5fb729608ec9c2a882c2
DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12196
ISSN: 00207594
Cited by: 29
Original Language: English