NCJ Number
209243
Journal
Youth & Society Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2005 Pages: 312-332
Date Published
March 2005
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study compared stress and coping techniques of migrant and local-born Chinese adolescents residing in Hong Kong.
Abstract
Adolescence is a developmental stage characterized by physiological, cognitive, psychoemotional, and behavioral changes. Teenagers who have migrated from their homes to foreign lands face additional challenges and stressors. The current study compared a sample of 243 migrant adolescents with a sample of local-born Chinese adolescents residing in Hong Kong on their levels of normative stress and their coping strategies. Participants completed a questionnaire that probed perceived stress, coping style, psychosocial performance, as well as demographic and family background characteristics. Psychosocial variables under examination included depression, self-esteem, prosocial behavior, and delinquency. Results of statistical analyses indicated that migrant adolescents showed no difference in perceived stress compared to local-born adolescents and were actually less likely to use withdrawal coping, reported higher levels of self-esteem, and were less likely to engage in delinquent behaviors than local-born Chinese teenagers. The adjustment of migrant adolescents was associated with father’s education and number of years residing in Hong Kong. Future research should continue probing the adjustment of migrants by focusing on a wider spectrum of experiences, such as academic and career performance. Tables, note, references