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Ethnic Identity, Immigration, and Well‐Being: An Interactional Perspective
Author(s) -
Phinney Jean S.,
Horenczyk Gabriel,
Liebkind Karmela,
Vedder Paul
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/0022-4537.00225
Subject(s) - ethnic group , immigration , social psychology , perspective (graphical) , identity (music) , national identity , psychology , sociology , gender studies , political science , physics , artificial intelligence , politics , anthropology , computer science , acoustics , law
On the basis of existing theory and research regarding ethnic identity and immigration and our own empirical work in four immigrant‐receiving countries, we suggest an interactional model for understanding psychological outcomes for immigration. Specifically, the interrelationship of ethnic and national identity and their role in the psychological well‐being of immigrants can best be understood as an interaction between the attitudes and characteristics of immigrants and the responses of the receiving society. This interaction is moderated by the particular circumstances of the immigrant group. The strengths of ethnic and national identity vary depending on the support for ethnic maintenance and the pressure for assimilation. Most studies show that the combination of a strong ethnic identity and a strong national identity promotes the best adaptation.