Immigrant Adolescents in Sweden: Acculturation and Mental Health

Sammanfattning: This study examined the acculturation strategies of immigrant adolescents in Sweden and their relation to the mental health symptoms. The participants were 101 immigrant adolescents and 52 Swedish adolescents 15 to 19 years old. ‘Immigration paradox’ was examined comparing the mental health of first and second generation of immigrants and the native Swedes. Youth Self Report was used to assess mental health symptoms and Life Orientation Test Revised to measure optimism as a positive aspect of mental health. The acculturation strategies were assessed with Acculturation Index. The results partially supported ‘Immigration paradox’ indicating that Swedish adolescents have more mental health issues (anxiety/depression and social problems) compared to their immigrant peers from second generation and report more somatic complaints compared to both generations of immigrant peers. Moreover, the results indicated that the first generation of immigrant adolescents has more mental health issues (social problems and withdrawal/depression) than the second generation. Also, assimilation as acculturation strategy is proved to be the most used by participants and the most beneficial to mental health. Unexpectedly, separated immigrant adolescents reported being most optimistic. The given findings are expected to expand knowledge on the acculturation process of current immigrant adolescents and its related outcomes with the aim to improve social policies and mental health interventions for this vulnerable population.