Acculturation, development and ethnocultural identity conflict: the process and outcomes of identity negotiation for adolescent migrants in multicultural environments

Abstract

This thesis broadly explores the complex issues related to developing and maintaining multiple identities for migrant youth and specifically examines the experience of Ethnocultural Identity Conflict (EIC) for young South Asian migrants in New Zealand. The research has two aims: 1) the construction of a predictive model of EIC and 2) the assessment of the relationship between EIC and developmental and acculturation processes. An ecological model consisting of three types of predictors that illustrate contextual influences in the interpersonal environment of the young person was proposed and tested; these are: attachment styles, family variables and ethnic identity. Then, the relationship between EIC and normative identity development (moratorium) and acculturation strategies was tested. Data were collected via surveys that were distributed by research assistants from the South Asian community. Based on the responses of 262 first generation South Asian youth (16-26 years old), hierarchical regression analysis indicated that all three of the sets of predictors (attachment style, family and ethnic identity) are important in understanding the conflict South Asian adolescents experience with regards to their cultural identities. Specifically, preoccupied attachment style (Beta = .24), intergenerational conflict due to acculturation (Beta = .17), family congruence (Beta = -.22) and ethnic identity (exploration, Beta = .25, centrality, Beta = -.36 and ethnic group bonds, Beta = -.20) emerged as significant predictors in the model. It was also shown that EIC is embedded within the domains of development and acculturation, with EIC positively relating to moratorium (r = .51) and an ANOVA showing significant differences between acculturation styles, with post-hoc analyses indicating those who adopt assimilation strategies have the lowest levels of EIC. This study contributes to our understanding of migrant youth in New Zealand in the following ways: First, it presents evidence of the importance of Ethnocultural Identity Conflict in the process of cultural transition and adaptation. Second, the study demonstrates that there is a range of distinct influences in the adolescent's environment that significantly predict levels EIC. Finally, the study provides evidence that EIC is related to both development and acculturation, meaning that these processes should be considered concurrently when attempting to understand adolescent acculturation.