The impact of acculturation on immigrant children’s self-perceptions, feelings of loneliness and social status

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate how the psychological acculturation process influences relations with peers, feelings of loneliness and self-perceptions (perceived social competence and global self-worth) in immigrant children. The sample consisted of 92 primary school children, aged 9 to 12 years old.Results revealed that immigrant children did not differ from their host peers in relation to global self-worth, perceived social competence and loneliness. However, there were clear-cut gender differences in relation to loneliness within each group. Girls in the host group reported greater loneliness than boys and, conversely, immigrant boys reported greater loneliness as compared to immigrant girls. In relation to peer acceptance, the results show that peer interactions were influenced by the immigrant status of the newcomers and this effect seemed more potent for boys than for girls, but the pattern was consistent regardless of sex. The results are discussed in terms of their importance in generating and implementing special measures which could help the hosts, within the school context, to accept immigrants, and on the other hand, help immigrant children to get along in the receiving country.