Positive development of immigrant youth: Why bother?

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Unit:
Department of Psychology
Title:
Positive development of immigrant youth: Why bother?
Languages of Item:
English
Abstract:
It is in the best interest of Europe and other receiving countries to have successful adaptations among their immigrant populations. International research suggests that well-informed policies and practices are necessary for the successful incorporation of immigrants into new societies. This evidence shows that: Children's positive adaptations and well being provide the foundation for healthy and productive adult lives; providing immigrant families with economic opportunities and reducing barriers to obtain adequate employment equips parents to raise well-adjusted and productive citizens; policies toward immigrants are important for the successful adaptation of immigrant youth; immigrant youth adopting the host cultures and languages while also maintaining the heritage culture and language, do better and contribute more to society than youth who learn only one language or cultural orientation; discrimination, racism and exclusion have deleterious effects for positive youth development. We therefore recommend that immigration policies and practices in receiving countries should be informed by previous research and interventions; promote non-segregated environments, welcoming environments; provide economic opportunities; provide early childcare, education, and health-related prevention and intervention programs; create public campaigns; and incorporate these considerations in the resettlement of refugees.
Publication year:
2015
Authors:
Cynthia García-Coll
Frosso Motti-Stefanidi
Brit Oppedal
Vassilis Pavlopoulos
Dagmar Strohmeier
Fons van de Vijver
Amina Abubakar
Jens Asendorpf
Radosveta Dimitrova
Gail Marcia Ferguson
Laura Ferrer-Wreder
Jennifer Lansford
David Lackland Sam
Emilie Phillips Smith
Peter Titzmann
Keywords:
Ψυχολογία, Μετανάστευση, Εφηβεία
Main subject category:
Philosophy - Psychology
Project information:
Mission Statement of the International Affairs Committee & Racial and Ethnic Issues Committee, Society for Research in Child Development, in collaboration with European Association of Developmental Psychology, and European Association for Research on Adolescence Experts' Meeting on Immigrant Youth Adaptation and Well-being, Hydra, Greece, September 16-20, 2015
SRCD-EADP-EARA-2015-Hydra-mission-statement.pdf (559 KB) Open in new window