Young Muslim Immigrants in Norway: An Epidemiological Study of Their Psychosocial Adaptation and Internalizing Problems

Abstract

The first aim of the present study was to examine internalizing problems and their psychosocial correlates among young Muslim immigrants in Norway as compared to other immigrant youth and host peers. The second aim was to examine adaptation differences among Muslim youth based on national origin and gender. Questionnaire data were collected during school classes from 6306 10th grade students in junior high schools in Oslo. Of the 1666 immigrants in the sample, 1060 (63.3%) originated in countries with majority Muslim population. Internalizing problems were measured in terms of depression and anxiety symptoms. Psychosocial adaptation included measures of general and acculturation-specific risks and resources. In general, Muslims youth appeared well-adapted. However, there were between group differences based on national origin and gender. Also, self-efficacy was identified as an important moderator between acculturation-specific risks and resources and mental health among boys.

This research was supported in part by grants from The Norwegian Council of Mental Health.

Notes

Note: *p < .05; **p < .01; ***p < .0001.

^a Significantly different from host peers.

^b Significantly different from other non-Western immigrant peers.

^c Significantly different from Western immigrant youth.

Note: *p ≤ 0.5; **p ≤ .010; ***p ≤ .000.

Host cc = host culture competence; Ethnic cc = Ethnic culture competence.

Note: *p ≤ 0.5; **p ≤ .010; ***p ≤ .000.

Self-eff = self-efficacy; Ethnic cc = ethnic culture competence; host cc = host culture competence.

Bold italic numbers indicate significant gender difference in effect on mental health.