Psychosocial profiles as mediators of variation in internalizing problems among young immigrants with origins in countries of war and internal conflicts

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of psychosocial risk and resource factors as mediators of differences in internalizing problems between young immigrants with origins in four different countries. The study population included 341 immigrants from Iran, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. A gap in internalizing problems was confirmed between two apparently healthy national groups (Somalis and Tamils) and two apparently vulnerable groups (Iranians and Vietnamese). Findings showed that psychosocial profiles of risk and resources differed in content between the four groups. The profiles explained significant proportion of variation in internalizing symptoms in all national groups. Multiple mediation analyses verified that differences in school-related problems, self-efficacy and intergenerational conflicts fully or partly accounted for the differences in internalizing symptoms between the healthy and vulnerable national groups. The findings are discussed in light of culture-specific patterns of behaviour and family interaction.

Keywords:

• Internalizing symptoms
• Immigrant youth
• Mediation
• Psychosocial risks and resources

Acknowledgments

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