Language brokering and psychological adjustment in emerging adulthood: exploring cultural values as moderators

ABSTRACT

Language brokering has been correlated with positive cognitive advantages, particularly in the younger years of translation. However, heavy translating has also been correlated with greater levels of psychological maladjustment. Fortunately, a cultural emphasis on family may reduce the adverse effects of translating. The current study examined emerging adults’ psychological health in relation to their language brokering habits during adolescence, as moderated by the strength of interdependent and independent values in the family. It was predicted that a strong sense of familism, or a high value placed on the family, would moderate the adverse psychological effects of language brokering. It was found that at low levels of familism, being a language broker was linked with a greater presence of anxiety symptoms. However, when familism was high, this value acted as a protective factor for the brokers. When examining depression symptoms, a strong connection to mainstream values was linked with less depression symptoms. Overall, these results suggest that a connectedness to both cultures may be beneficial to the adjustment of language brokers.

KEYWORDS:

• Language brokering
• familism
• emerging adulthood
• anxiety
• depression

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.