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Predicting internalizing problems in Moroccan immigrant adolescents in the Netherlands

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Abstract

Background

With the increasing number of immigrants worldwide, it is essential to have insight into the factors associated with internalizing problems in immigrant youth. However, little research on this subject has been conducted. The aim of the current study is to contribute to the knowledge in this field.

Methods

Data were obtained from the general population of 11- to 18-year-old Moroccan immigrant adolescents in the Netherlands. Using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Youth Self-Report (YSR), and Teacher's Report Form (TRF), 415 parent, 376 self-, and 238 teacher reports were available for analysis.

Results

The data showed relations between internalizing problems and several child (externalizing and chronic health problems), proximal family (paternal and maternal support and parent–child conflict), contextual family (conflicts between parents about parenting and total number of life-events), school/peer (being bored), and migration variables (adolescent's perceived discrimination). Moreover, a modest relation was found between internalizing problems and parental psychopathology. Few associations occurred with the global family factor (e.g., family educational level). Several relations between the predictors and YSR internalizing proved to be gender-specific.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that the child, school/peer, and proximal family factors are the most important in predicting the development of internalizing problems in Moroccan immigrant adolescents. The impact of the migration factor was small.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by NWO (Dutch Organization for Scientific Research). The authors would very much like to thank the parents, adolescents and teachers who participated in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, University of Leiden, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Gonneke W. J. M. Stevens & Wilma A. M. Vollebergh

  2. Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC/Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Gonneke W. J. M. Stevens & Alfons A. M. Crijnen

  3. Trimbos Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Wilma A. M. Vollebergh

  4. Verwey-Jonker Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Trees V. M. Pels

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  1. Gonneke W. J. M. Stevens
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  3. Trees V. M. Pels
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  4. Alfons A. M. Crijnen
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Correspondence to Gonneke W. J. M. Stevens.

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Stevens, G.W.J.M., Vollebergh, W.A.M., Pels, T.V.M. et al. Predicting internalizing problems in Moroccan immigrant adolescents in the Netherlands. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 40, 1003–1011 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-005-0988-9

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