ACCULTURATIVE STRESS AMONG YOUNG IMMIGRANTS IN NORWAY

The study examined the relationship between migration and the incidenc e of emotional disorders among 568 young Third World immigrants in Nor way. Participants were 10-17 years of age. Using a questionnaire, accu lturative stress (i.e., change in health status as a result of accultu ration) was found to exist among the children, although having to migr ate or being born in Norway was not related to mental health status. A stressful acculturative experience (i.e., difficulties in initiating friendship with Norwegian peers) alone could account for only 1% of th e self reported emotional disorders. Incidence of depressive tendencie s, poor self image, and psychological and somatic symptoms were found to be related to close and supportive parents, marginality, integratio n, gender and the number of friends the child had. These accounted for between 12 and 15% of the explained variance. The paper theoretically discusses how these factors may be related to acculturative stress, a nd recommends them as starting points for a primary intervention progr am to reduce emotional disorders among these children.