Abstract
The mastering of developmental tasks in adolescence is a prerequisite for long-term positive adaptation and can enhance individuals’ resilience when confronted with life stressors and challenges. There is evidence that immigrant adolescents are confronted with additional opportunities and challenges when dealing with developmental tasks. We present an integrative review of empirical findings on the impact of immigration on the mastering of developmental tasks among immigrant adolescents. First, we present the concept of developmental tasks by Havighurst as well as more recent theoretical advances. Second, we will review the major developmental tasks in adolescence and how immigration can impact them. In conclusion, we will discuss how the experiences of immigration may lead to an accelerated or decelerated pace of becoming an adult, for example by taking on adult-like roles (e.g., language brokering for less language-competent parents). We will show how the successful navigation through developmental and acculturative (e.g., combining host and heritage cultures) tasks may help to explain remarkable high levels of resilience among immigrant adolescents despite many obstacles.
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Notes
- 1.
Immigrant background refers to persons that have either migrated themselves or who have at least one parent that was born without citizenship of their respective country of residence (Statistisches Bundesamt, 2020). Note that in a number of countries (including Germany) children of immigrants do not automatically become citizens of the country they are born in. We will try to distinguish between first and later generations of immigrant youth where this is possible. The terms immigrant background and immigrant youth are used interchangeably throughout the chapter.
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Jugert, P., Titzmann, P.F. (2020). Developmental Tasks and Immigrant Adolescent’s Adaptation. 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_3
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