Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Contextualizing Immigrant and Refugee Resilience pp 11–31Cite as

Immigrant Youth Resilience: Integrating Developmental and Cultural Perspectives

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Advances in Immigrant Family Research ((ADIMFAMRES))

Abstract

Positive adaptation of immigrant youth in receiving societies is consequential for the well-being of the youth and for the prosperity of the receiving societies. Yet there is significant diversity in the adaptation of immigrant youth. The central question addressed in this chapter is this: “Who among immigrant youth does well and why?” To address this question, the resilience of immigrant youth is examined in the context of development, through the lens of culture, integrating acculturation and social psychological perspectives. For many years, culture was largely neglected in the study of resilience. Now there is growing recognition in research and practice of the pervasive influences culture has on concepts, measures, processes, and indicators crucial to understanding how people overcome challenges or risk to survive, recover, or thrive in life. Particularly in the context of migration, cultural perspectives are essential. Immigrant youth often navigate among conflicting values and developmental goals of home and receiving cultures, with the added challenges of discrimination. For immigrant youth, processes of development, acculturation, and cultural adaptation are highly intertwined. Thus, an integrated cultural and developmental science approach is vital to advancing knowledge on immigrant youth adaptation and its applications to support youth resilience.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Arends-Tóth, J. V., & van de Vijver, F. J. R. (2006). Issues in conceptualization and assessment of acculturation. In M. H. Bornstein & L. R. Cote (Eds.), Acculturation and parent-child relationships: Measurement and development (pp. 33–62). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Asendorpf, J., & Motti-Stefanidi, F. (2017). A longitudinal study of immigrants’ peer acceptance and rejection: Immigrant status, immigrant composition of the classroom and acculturation. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 23(4), 486–498. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J. W., Phinney, J. S., Sam, D. L., & Vedder, P. (2006). Immigrant youth: Acculturation, identity, and adaptation. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 55(3), 303–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J. W., & Sam, D. L. (2016). Acculturation: Conceptual background and theoretical perspectives. In D. L. Sam & J. W. Berry (Eds.), Cambridge handbook of acculturation psychology (2nd ed., pp. 11–29). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Black, M. M., Walker, S. P., Fernald, L. C. H., Andersen, C. T., DiGirolamo, A. M., Lu, C., … Grantham-McGregor, S. (2017). Early childhood development coming of age: Science through the life course. The Lancet, 389(10064), 77–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bornstein, M. H. (2017). The specificity principle in acculturation science. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(1), 3–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Britto, P. R., Engle, P. L., & Super, C. M. (Eds.). (2013). Handbook of early childhood development research and its impact on global policy. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U., & Morris, P. A. (2006). The bioecological model of human development. In R. M. Lerner (Ed.), Handbook of Child Psychology. Vol. 1: Theoretical models of human development (6th ed., pp. 793–828). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cicchetti, D., & Rogosch, F. A. (1996). Equifinality and multifinality in developmental psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 8(4), 597–600. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579400007318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costigan, C. L., & Dokis, D. P. (2006). Relations between parent-child acculturation differences and adjustment within immigrant Chinese families. Child Development, 77(5), 1252–1267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Côté, J. E. (2009). Identity formation and self- development in adolescence. In R. M. Lerner & L. Steinberg (Eds.), Handbook of adolescent psychology (Individual bases of adolescent development) (Vol. 1, pp. 266–304). New Jersey, NY: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, E., Wright, M. O., & Masten, A. S. (2006). Resilience and spirituality in youth. In E. C. Roehlkepartain, P. E. King, L. Wagener, & P. L. Benson (Eds.), The handbook of spiritual development in childhood and adolescence (pp. 335–370). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimitrova, R., Chasiotis, A., & van de Vijver, F. (2016). Adjustment outcomes of immigrant children and youth in Europe: A meta-analysis. European Psychologist, 21(2), 150–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forgatch, M. S., & Gewirtz, A. H. (2017). The evolution of the Oregon model of parent management training: An intervention for antisocial behavior in children and adolescents. In J. R. Weisz & A. E. Kazdin (Eds.), Evidence-based psychotherapies for children and adolescents (3rd ed., pp. 85–102). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia Coll, C., Akerman, A., & Cicchetti, D. (2000). Cultural influences on developmental processes and outcomes: Implications for the study of development and psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 12, 333–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García Coll, C. G., & Marks, A. K. (Eds.). (2012). The immigrant paradox in children and adolescents: Is becoming American a developmental risk? Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenfield, P. M., Keller, H., Fuligni, A., & Maynard, A. (2003). Cultural pathways through universal development. Annual Review of Psychology, 54(1), 461–490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenfield, P. M., Suzuki, L. K., & Rothstein-Fisch, C. (2006). Cultural pathways through human development. In Handbook of child psychology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harkness, S., & Super, C. M. (1996). Parents’ cultural belief systems: Their origins, expressions, and consequences. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huebner, G., Boothby, N., Aber, J. L., Darmstadt, G. L., Diaz, A., Masten, A. S., … Arnold, L. (2016). Beyond survival: The case for investing in young children globally. Discussion paper. National Academy of Medicine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, D., Rodriguez, J., Smith, E. P., Johnson, D. J., Stevenson, H. C., & Spicer, P. (2006). Parents’ ethnic-racial socialization practices: A review of research and directions for future study. Developmental Psychology, 42(5), 747.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kağitçibași, C. (2012). Autonomous-related self and competence: The potential of immigrant youth. In A. S. Masten, K. Liebkind, & D. J. Hernandez (Eds.), Realizing the potential of immigrant youth (pp. 281–306). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kuczynski, L., & Knafo, A. (2013). Innovation and continuity in socialization, internalization and acculturation. In M. Killen & J. G. Smetana (Eds.), Handbook of moral development (2nd ed., pp. 93–112). New York, NY: Taylor and Francis Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwak, K. (2003). Adolescents and their parents: A review of intergenerational family relations for immigrant and non-immigrant families. Human Development, 46(2–3), 115–136. https://doi.org/10.1159/000068581

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lansford, J. E., Bornstein, M. H., et al. (2010). How international research on parenting advances understanding of child development. Child Development Perspectives, 10(3), 202–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leijten, P., Raaijmakers, M. A., Orobio de Castro, B., van den Ban, E., & Matthys, W. (2017). Effectiveness of the incredible years parenting program for families with socioeconomically disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 46, 59–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundberg, M., & Wuermli, A. (2012). Children and youth in crisis: Protecting and promoting human development in times of economic shocks. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Luthar, S. S., Crossman, E. J., & Small, P. J. (2015). Resilience and adversity. In R. M. Lerner & M. E. Lamb (Eds.), Handbook of child psychology and developmental science (Vol. III, 7th ed., pp. 247–286). New York, NY: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marks, A. K., Ejesi, K., McCullough, M. B., & García Coll, C. G. (2015). Developmental implications of discrimination. In M. E. Lamb (Ed.), Handbook of child psychology and developmental science (Vol. 3, pp. 1–42). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56, 227–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S. (2014a). Global perspectives on resilience in children and youth. Child Development, 85, 6–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S. (2014b). Ordinary magic: Resilience in development. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S. (2018a). Resilience theory and research on children an families: Past, present, and promise. Journal of Family Theory and Review, 10, 12–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S. (2018b). Resilience theory and research on children an families: Past, present, and promise. Journal of Family Theory and Review, 10, 12–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., & Cicchetti, D. (2015). Resilience in development: Progress and transformation. In D. Cicchetti (Ed.), Developmental Psychopathology: Volume 4: Risk, resilience and intervention (3rd ed., pp. 271–333). New York, NY: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., & Cicchetti, D. (2016). Resilience in development: Progress and transformation. In D. Cicchetti (Ed.), Developmental psychopathology (3rd ed. Vol. IV, pp. 271-333). New York: Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119125556.devpsy406

  • Masten, A. S., & Kalstabakken, A. W. (2018). Developmental perspectives on psychopathology in children and adolescents. In J. Butcher (Editor-in-Chief), P. C. Kendall (Assoc. Ed.), APA handbook of psychopathology: Vol. 2. Child and adolescent psychopathology (pp. 15–36). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., Narayan, A. J., Silverman, W. K., & Osofsky, J. D. (2015). Children in war and disaster. In R. M. Lerner (Ed.), M. H. Bornstein and T. Leventhal (vol. Eds.), Handbook of child psychology and developmental science. Vol. 4. Ecological settings and processes in developmental systems (7th ed., pp. 704–745). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., & Palmer, A. (2019). Parenting to promote resilience in children. In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), Handbook of parenting. Vol. 5. The practice of parenting (3rd ed., pp. 156–188). New York, NY: Routledge.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, C. M., Kuo, S. I.-C., & Masten, A. S. (2011). Developmental tasks across the lifespan. In K. L. Fingerman, C. A. Berg, J. Smith, & T. C. Antonucci (Eds.), Handbook of lifespan development (pp. 117–140). New York, NY: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Motti-Stefanidi, F. (2015). Identity development in the context of the risk and resilience framework. In M. Syed & K. McLean (Eds.), Oxford handbook of identity development. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Motti-Stefanidi, F. (2018). Resilience among immigrant youth: The role of culture, development and acculturation. Developmental Review, 50, 99–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Motti-Stefanidi, F., Asendorpf, J. B., & Masten, A. S. (2012). The adaptation and well-being of adolescent immigrants in Greek schools: A multilevel, longitudinal study of risks and resources. Development and Psychopathology, 24(2), 451–473.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Motti-Stefanidi, F., Berry, J., Chryssochoou, X., Sam, D. L., & Phinney, J. (2012). Positive immigrant youth adaptation in context: Developmental, acculturation, and social psychological perspectives. In A. S. Masten, K. Liebkind, & D. J. Hernandez (Eds.), Realizing the potential of immigrant youth (pp. 117–158). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Motti-Stefanidi, F., & Masten, A. S. (2017). A resilience perspective on immigrant youth adaptation and development. In N. J. Cabrera & B. Leyendecker (Eds.), Handbook of positive development of minority children. Amsterdam, NL: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Motti-Stefanidi, F., Pavlopoulos, & Asendorpf, J. B. (2018). Immigrant youth acculturation and perceived discrimination: Longitudinal mediation by non-immigrant peers’ acceptance/rejection. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 59, 36–45. DOI. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2018.03.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Motti-Stefanidi, F., & Salmela-Aro, K. (2018). Editorial challenges and resources for immigrant youth positive adaptation: What does scientific evidence show us? European Psychologist, 23(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1027/10169040/a000315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen, A.-M. T., & Benet-Martinez, V. (2013). Biculturalism and adjustment: A meta- analysis. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 44(1), 122–159. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022111435097

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Obradović, J., Shaffer, A., & Masten, A. (2012). Risk and adversity in developmental psychopathology: Progress and future directions. In L. C. Mayes & M. Lewis (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of environment in human development (pp. 35–57). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2012). Untapped skills: Realizing the potential of immigrant students. Retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/edu/Untapped%20Skills.pdf

  • Oppedal, B., & Toppelberg, C. O. (2016). Acculturation and Development. In D. L. Sam & J. Berry (Eds.), Cambridge handbook of acculturation psychology (2nd ed., pp. 71–92). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Panter-Brick, C., Hadfield, K., Dajani, R., Eggerman, M., Ager, A., & Ungar, M. (2017). Resilience in context: A brief and culturally grounded measure for Syrian Refugee and Jordanian host-community adolescents. Child Development, 89(5), 1803–1820. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12868

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, A., Koller, S. H., Motti-Stefanidi, F., & Verma, S. (2016). Global equity and justice issues for young people during the first three decades of life. In S. S. Horn, M. Ruck, & L. Liben (Eds.), Advances in child development and behavior. (J.B. Benson, Series Ed.) (Vol. 51, pp. 289–320).

    Google Scholar 

  • Phinney, J. S., & Chavira, V. (1995). Parental ethnic socialization and adolescent coping with problems related to ethnicity. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 5, 31–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phinney, J. S., Horenczyk, G., Liebkind, K., & Vedder, P. (2001). Ethnic identity, immigration, and well-being: An interactional perspective. Journal of Social Issues, 57(3), 493–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1987). Psychosocial resilience and protective mechanisms. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57, 316–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sam, D. L., & Berry, J. W. (Eds.). (2016). The Cambridge handbook of acculturation psychology. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sam, D. L., Vedder, P., Liebkind, K., Neto, F., & Virta, E. (2008). Immigration, acculturation and the paradox of adaptation in Europe. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 5(2), 138–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sameroff, A. J. (2000). Developmental systems and psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 12(3), 297–312. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579400003035

  • Schachner, M. K., Noack, P., Van de Vijver, F. J., & Eckstein, K. (2016). Cultural diversity climate and psychological adjustment at school—equality and inclusion versus cultural pluralism. Child Development, 87(4), 1175–1191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sroufe, L. A., Egeland, B., Carlson, E. A., & Collins, W. A. (2005). The development of the person: The Minnesota study of risk and adaptation from birth to adulthood (pp. 48–70). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suárez-Orozco, C., Abo-Zena, M. M., & Marks, A. K. (2015). Transitions: The development of children of immigrants. New York, NY: New York University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suárez-Orozco, C., Motti-Stefanidi, F., Marks, A., & Katsiaficas, D. (2018). An integrative risk and resilience model for understanding the adaptation of immigrant origin children and youth. American Psychologist, 73(6), 781–796. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suárez-Orozco, C., Suárez-Orozco, M. M., & Todorova, I. (2008). Learning a new land: Immigrant students in American society. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Theron, L. C., Liebenberg, L., & Ungar, M. (Eds.). (2015). Youth resilience and culture: Commonalities and complexities. New York, NY: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thijs, J., & Verkuyten, M. (2013). Multiculturalism in the classroom: Ethnic attitudes and classmates’ beliefs. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 37(2), 176–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Titzmann, P. F. (2014). Immigrant adolescents’ adaptation to a new context: Ethnic friendship homophily and its predictors. Child Development Perspectives, 8(2), 107–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ungar, M. (2018). Systemic resilience: principles and processes for a science of change in contexts of adversity. Ecology and Society 23(4):34. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-10385-230434

  • Umaña-Taylor, A. J., Quintana, S. M., Lee, R. M., Cross, W. E., Rivas-Drake, D., Schwartz, S. J., … Seaton, E. (2014). Ethnic and racial identity during adolescence and into young adulthood: An integrated conceptualization. Child Development, 85(1), 21–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ungar, M. (2012). Social ecologies and their contribution to resilience. In M. Ungar (Ed.), The social ecology of resilience. New York, NY: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Van de Vijver, F. J. R. (2017). Acculturation. In M. H. Bornstein, M. E. Arterberry, K. L. Fingerman, & J. E. Lansford (Eds.), The Sage encyclopedia of lifespan human development (pp. 11–14). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vedder, P. H., & Motti-Stefanidi, F. (2016). Children, families, and schools. In D. L. Sam & J. Berry (Eds.), Cambridge handbook of acculturation psychology (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verkuyten, M. (2005). The social psychology of ethnic identity. New York, NY: Psychology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster-Stratton, C. (1987). Parents and children: A 10 program videotape parent training series with manuals. Eugene, OR: Castalia Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, R. M. B., Updegraff, K. A., Umaña-Taylor, A. J., Zeiders, K. H., Perez-Brena, N., & Burleson, E. (2017). Neighborhood and school ethnic structuring and cultural adaptations among Mexican-origin adolescents. Developmental Psychology, 53(3), 511–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Frosso Motti-Stefanidi

  2. Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Ann S. Masten

Authors
  1. Frosso Motti-Stefanidi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ann S. Masten
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frosso Motti-Stefanidi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Social and Cultural Pyschology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Derya Güngör

  2. School of Medical Engineeringand Applied Social Sciences, University of Applied Sciences, Upper Austria, Linz, Austria

    Dagmar Strohmeier

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Motti-Stefanidi, F., Masten, A.S. (2020). Immigrant Youth Resilience: Integrating Developmental and Cultural Perspectives. In: Güngör, D., Strohmeier, D. (eds) Contextualizing Immigrant and Refugee Resilience. Advances in Immigrant Family Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42303-2_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation