British Journal of Social Psychology
Volume 54, Issue 4, 2015, Pages 748-766

Marginal and happy? The need for uniqueness predicts the adjustment of marginal immigrants (Article)

Debrosse R.* , de la Sablonnière R. , Rossignac-Milon M.
  • a Department of Psychology, University of MontrealQC, Canada, Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
  • b Department of Psychology, University of MontrealQC, Canada
  • c Psychology Department, Columbia University, New York, United States

Abstract

Marginalization is often presented as the strategy associated with the worst adjustment for immigrants. This study identifies a critical variable that buffers marginal immigrants from the negative effects of marginalization on adjustment: The need for uniqueness. In three studies, we surveyed immigrants recruited on university campuses (n = 119, n = 116) and in the field (n = 61). Among marginal immigrants, a higher need for uniqueness predicted higher self-esteem (Study 1), affect (Study 2), and life satisfaction (Study 3), and marginally higher happiness (Study 2) and self-esteem (Study 3). No relationship between the need for uniqueness and adjustment was found among non-marginal immigrants. The adaptive value of the need for uniqueness for marginal immigrants is discussed. © 2015 The British Psychological Society.

Author Keywords

Life satisfaction Self-esteem Marginalization Biculturalism Acculturation Distinctiveness

Index Keywords

Minority Groups male Emigrants and Immigrants Emotional Adjustment female Humans self concept satisfaction Happiness psychological adjustment Personal Satisfaction minority group Young Adult human social isolation migrant psychology
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84954403972&doi=10.1111%2fbjso.12113&partnerID=40&md5=41d303c5fbb7a989aea9f3ae9dbf791b
DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12113
ISSN: 01446665
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English