Acculturation Attitude : Its Relation to the Psychosocial Adjustment of Hispanic Adolescents with an Immigrant Background

Researchers are only recently beginning to look at the effects of acculturation on the individual. Most or the research in this area has largely focused on the effects of acculturation on a group of people. We are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of adolescents with a Hispanic ethnic background in our schools and communities. The purpose of this study was 10 evaluate how the process of acculturation relates to these individuals’ psychosocial adjustment. More specifically, it examined the relationship between the tour acculturation altitudes (integration, separation, marginalization, assimilation) and psychosocial adjustment of adolescents with a Hispanic immigrant background. Previous research has suggested that being integrated is better for psychosocial adjustment for immigrants, while being marginalized is considered to be the worst in terms of psychosocial adjustment. The hypotheses of the study were partially supported by the data collected from the respondents (n = 57). Being integrated was significantly related to increased school adjustment scores and significantly decreased numbers of behavior problems reported in a school environment. It was also round that none of these respondents were categorized as being marginalized or assimilated.