Identity construction among remotely acculturating non-migrant youths: Psychological and social implications

Abstract

Abstract Background Identity as a complex socio-historical concept can be negotiated by young adults if exposed to other cultures aside their own original culture and may thus bring about certain consequences that are hardly acknowledged. Objective The aim of the study was to examine how remote exposure to foreign cultures influences young adults in the major domains of their ethnic identity and also examine the extent to which the phenomenon influences the quality of interpersonal relationships as well as life satisfaction. Method A total number of 414 young men and women participated in the study. (Female = 57.48%; Male = 42.51%, age range is 16 and 35 years). The participants responded to questionnaires designed to measure: exposure to foreign culture, remote acculturation, ethnic identity, and two other validated scales. The data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result Findings indicate that remote exposure to foreign culture partially predicted remote acculturation. Results also indicate that Identity exploration was positively related to remote acculturation. The study also found that there was a relationship between identity affirmation and life satisfaction. Identity affirmation was also found to be positively associated with quality of interpersonal relationships. Finally, there was a significant difference in the identity resolution of remotely-acculturating and non acculturating participants. Conclusion The study offers evidence on the reality of remote acculturation among the youths in Nigeria and suggested that loss of an identity to a foreign one among young people could affect family relationships and undermine social harmony. Adolescents could be supported through identity development process to develop in a way that makes them culturally competent globally but locally relevant.