TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kunyu, David Khisoni
A1  - Schachner, Maja
A1  - Juang, Linda P.
A1  - Schwarzenthal, Miriam
A1  - Aral, Tuğçe
ED  - Eckstein, K.
ED  - Crocetti, E.
T1  - Acculturation hassles and adjustment of adolescents of immigrant descent
BT  - testing mediation with a self-determination theory approach
JF  - New directions for child and adolescent development
N2  - Despite evidence that acculturation hassles (such as discrimination and language hassles) relate to poorer adjustment for adolescents of immigrant descent, we know less about the psychological processes underlying these associations. In this study, we test whether reduced psychological needs satisfaction in terms of a lower sense of belonging, autonomy, and competence, mediates the associations of acculturation hassles with psychological distress and academic adjustment. Our sample included 439 seventh graders from 15 schools in Germany (51% female, M-age = 12.4 years, SD = .73). Results revealed that adolescents who experienced greater discrimination and language hassles showed a lower sense of belonging with classmates and subsequently, greater psychological distress. Those who experienced greater language hassles also exhibited a lower sense of perceived competence, and ultimately poorer academic adjustment. We conclude that self-determination theory (SDT) provides an important framework to explain key processes underlying the links between acculturation hassles with psychological distress and academic (mal-)adjustment. Strengthening belonging and competence among adolescents of immigrant descent may enhance their well-being in the face of acculturation hassles.
KW  - adjustment
KW  - adolescents of immigrant descent
KW  - discrimination
KW  - language
KW  - hassles
KW  - self-determination theory
Y1  - 2021
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1002/cad.20408
SN  - 1534-8687
SN  - 1520-3247
VL  - 177
SP  - 101
EP  - 121
PB  - Hindawi Limited
CY  - London
ER  -