1st Edition

Immigrant Youth in Cultural Transition Acculturation, Identity, and Adaptation Across National Contexts

Edited By J.W. Berry, Jean S. Phinney, David L. Sam, Paul Vedder Copyright 2006
    340 Pages
    by Psychology Press

    344 Pages
    by Psychology Press

    In this book, an international team of psychologists with interests in acculturation, identity, and development describe the experience and adaptation of immigrant youth, using data from over 7,000 immigrant youth from diverse cultural backgrounds living in 13 countries of settlement. Immigrant Youth in Cultural Transition explores the way in which immigrant adolescents carry out their lives at the intersection of two cultures (those of their heritage group and the national society), and how well these youth are adapting to their intercultural experience. 

    Four distinct patterns are followed by youth during their acculturation:
    *an integration pattern, in which youth orient themselves to, and identify with both cultures;
    *an ethnic pattern, in which youth are oriented mainly to their own group;
    *a national pattern, in which youth look primarily to the national society; and
    *a diffuse pattern, in which youth are uncertain and confused about how to live interculturally.

    The study shows the variation in both the psychological adaptation and the sociocultural adaptation among youth, with most adapting well.

    This book is useful for professionals, researchers, graduate students, and public policy makers who have an interest in psychology, anthropology, sociology, demography, education, and psychiatry. It is also a valuable resource for public, governmental, and university libraries.

    Contents: K. Phalet, Foreword. Preface. J.W. Berry, J.S. Phinney, K. Kwak, D.L. Sam, Introduction: Goals and Research Framework for Studying Immigrant Youth. J.W. Berry, C. Westin, E. Virta, P. Vedder, R. Rooney, D. Sang, Design of the Study: Selecting Societies of Settlement and Immigrant Groups. P. Vedder, F.J.R. van de Vijver, Methodological Aspects: Studying Adolescents in 13 Countries. J.S. Phinney, J.W. Berry, P. Vedder, K. Liebkind, The Acculturation Experience: Attitudes, Identities, and Behaviors of Immigrant Youth. D.L. Sam, P. Vedder, C. Ward, G. Horenczyk, Psychological and Sociocultural Adaptation of Immigrant Youth. P. Vedder, F.J.R. van de Vijver, K. Liebkind, Predicting Immigrant Youth's Adaptation Across Countries and Ethnocultural Groups. J.S. Phinney, P. Vedder, Family Relationship Values of Adolescents and Parents: Intergenerational Discrepancies and Adaptation. P. Vedder, D.L. Sam, F.J.R. van de Vijver, J.S. Phinney, Vietnamese and Turkish Immigrant Youth: Acculturation and Adaptation in Two Ethnocultural Groups. J.S. Phinney, J.W. Berry, D.L. Sam, P. Vedder, Understanding Immigrant Youth: Conclusions and Implications. Appendices.

    Biography

    J.W. Berry, Jean S. Phinney, David L. Sam, Paul Vedder

    "...successfully describes various aspects of the acculturation, identity, and adaptation of immigrant youth cross-nationally. Gender and peer group influences receive good coverage, which is not always the case in such studies. The adaptation of immigrant youth appears in a positive light. 'Immigrant Youth in Cultural Transition' could serve as a catalyst for widespread change in conceptions of the immigrant youth experience."
    —PsycCRITIQUES