Predictors of loneliness among adolescents from Portuguese immigrant families in Switzerland

The aims of this study were to find out the degree of loneliness among Port uguese adolescents from immigrant backgrounds in Switzerland, and the facto rs that may predict the level of loneliness among them. Portuguese immigrat ion to Switzerland is a recent phenomenon with relatively high rates of imm igrants. Three hypotheses were tested: loneliness scores of Portuguese adol escents living in Switzerland are not different from those of Portuguese ad olescents living in Portugal; variables within each one of the three sets t aken into account - socio-demographic, intercultural contact and psychosoci al adjustment - will be predictors of loneliness; and the variables of inte rcultural contact and psychosocial adjustment will be more predictive of lo neliness than socio-demographic variables will be. The study sample consist ed of 95 subjects (mean age = 16.1 years; SD = 1.84). The mean duration of sojourn in Switzerland for the sample was 7.2 years (SD = 4.1). They were a sked to fill in a questionnaire with several measures, including socio-demo graphic information, ethnic language proficiency, majority language profici ency, ethnic identity, majority identity, perceived discrimination, stressf ul experience, adaptation, mastery, self-esteem, symptoms outcome and lonel iness. A control group involving 363 Portuguese youth was included in the s tudy. The hypotheses were supported. There were no significant differences between Portuguese adolescents living in Portugal and in Switzerland in ter ms of level of loneliness. Socio-demographic, intercultural contact and psy chosocial adjustment variables accounted for 35% of the variance explained. Majority language proficiency was the most important predictor of loneline ss. Implications of the study for counsellors are suggested.