Mental Health in Dutch-Moroccan Youths: Associations between Acculturation Strategies, Discrimination and Self-esteem

Background: The aim of this study was to study the effect of discrimination and selfesteem on mental health among different acculturation strategies of Dutch-Moroccan adolescents. Method: By using Latent Class Analyses, subgroups with distinct acculturation strategies were established among Dutch-Moroccan youths (boys, N=203; girls, N= 201; mean age 12.7 ± 1.9). Differences among the acculturation groups in mental health problems, selfesteem and perceived personaland group discrimination were investigated. Linear regression models were used to investigate associations between discrimination, self-esteem and mental health for each acculturation group. Results: An integrated, a separated and a marginalized acculturation strategy were found. The integrated group reported least problems and highest levels of self-esteem, while the marginalized group reported most problems and lowest levels of self-esteem. No differences in perceived personal discrimination werzalth problems, while in the separated group only perceived personal discrimination and self-esteem were related to mental health problems. No associations between discrimination and self-esteem with mental health problems were found in the marginalized group. Conclusions: Integration seems to be the most healthy acculturation strategy. However, integration may make migrant youths more vulnerable for the negative effects of discrimination. Since a high self-esteem is likely to buffer against the negative effects of discrimination, intervention efforts should focus on increasing resilience of these youth. Proefschrift 10juli_final.indd 114 10-07-2013 22:43:05 | 115 Mental health, acculturation, discrimination and self-esteem