Agnes Szabo

Identity Processing Styles During Cultural Transition Construct and Measurement

Drawing from previous work on identity styles by Berzonsky, the current article introduces a new version of the Identity Style Inventory assessing social-cognitive information processing strategies during cultural transition (ISI-CT). The ISI-CT incorporates five distinct identity styles (analytical informational, exploratory informational, normative to the country of origin, normative to the host society, and diffuse-avoidant) and a measure of immigrant identity commitment. The article reports the construction of the ISI-CT and examines its factorial structure (Studies 1 and 2), convergent and discriminant validity (Study 1), and longitudinal relationships among subscales (Study 3). Relationships between demographic variables, including age, gender, length of stay, language proficiency, and cultural background, and the ISI-CT subscales are also investigated. Findings support reliability and validity of the ISI-CT as an assessment of the identity processes underlying identity development of people in cultural transition. The potential of this new measurement and construct to contribute to the understanding of the immigrant experience and the wider field of acculturation research is discussed.

Longitudinal Trajectories of Quality of Life and Depression by Housing Tenure Status

Objectives A large body of research has demonstrated the positive effects of home ownership on well-being and health outcomes. However, most previous studies have been cross-sectional. The present study aimed to understand the long-term impact of housing tenure on the psychological wellbeing of older people in New Zealand. Method Data were collected between 2010 and 2014. The 2010 sample (aged from 50-85 years) comprised 2,843 participants (55.4% female). Latent growth curve modeling was used to investigate trajectories of change for home owners and tenants in quality of life and depression symptoms. Analyses also examined the additional impact of demographic and socio-economic variables. Results Over time, quality of life increased, while depression symptoms decreased, for home owners. For tenants, lower levels of quality of life and higher levels of depression symptoms remained stable. Economic living standard, urban versus rural residence, length of residence, ethnicity, age, and household composition emerged as significant covariates. Discussion The psychological benefits of home ownership highlight the importance of secure and sustainable housing. Policies should be designed to ensure access to safe housing solutions for all older people.

Is the Utility of Secondary Coping a Function of Ethnicity or the Context of Reception? A Longitudinal Study Across Western and Eastern Cultures

Although cross-cultural research suggests that the development and functionality of secondary coping strategies are substantially influenced by the broader cultural context, research findings are not completely conclusive. Some studies indicate that secondary coping is more adaptive for Asian participants compared with Westerners, while others emphasize the adaptability of the coping style in Asian, but not Western, contexts. The main objective of the present study was to systematically test for ethnic and contextual differences in the effectiveness of secondary strategies (measured in the form of acceptance and positive reinterpretation) in reducing the negative effects of acculturative stress on somatic symptoms with samples of international students. A 3-month longitudinal study was conducted in two different contexts: (a) Asian and Western international students in China (Asians: n = 53, Westerners: n = 51) and (b) similar groups in New Zealand (Asians: n = 61, Westerners: n = 65). The data were subjected to a hierarchical regression analysis with changes in psychological symptoms functioning as the dependent variable. Findings indicated that stress, secondary coping, and cultural context significantly interacted in predicting changes in somatic symptoms. Specifically, secondary coping exacerbated the negative effects of acculturative stress on psychological adjustment in New Zealand. In contrast, secondary coping functioned as a buffer in China, such that it was effective at reducing the negative impact of stress over time. Findings indicated that ethnicity did not significantly moderate the stress–coping–adjustment relationship. Our results show that the effectiveness of secondary coping varies as a function of the cultural context.

Older New Zealanders in caregiving roles: Psychological functioning of caregivers of people living with dementia

Research suggests that caregiving can have both positive and negative effects on psychological functioning. It is, however, less understood how these positive and negative effects interact within individuals. The present study aimed to identify different patterns of psychological functioning and their correlates among caregivers of dementia patients. The sample included 336 older caregivers. Latent profile analysis revealed three distinct profiles. The optimally functioning profile was characterized by high levels of positive outcomes and low levels of depression. Those with a suboptimally functioning profile reported low levels of positive outcomes and increased depression symptoms. The poorly functioning profile displayed extremely high levels of depression symptoms and extremely low levels of positive outcomes. Differentiation among groups was driven by differences in social support and to a lesser extent by socio-demographic factors and caregiving experience. Results suggest that caregiving is not necessarily a burdensome role and highlight the role of social relationships.

Stress appraisal, information processing strategies, and somatic symptoms: A longitudinal study with immigrants

The study investigated threat versus challenge appraisals of acculturative stressors and their impact on the changes in psychological symptoms. It also examined information processing styles (informational, normative, and diffuse-avoidant) as moderators of these relationships. A 6-month longitudinal study with two measuring points was conducted with a sample of immigrants. Threat appraisal was associated with more psychological symptoms, and challenge appraisal interacted with information processing styles to predict the changes in somatic symptoms. Analytical and exploratory informational styles enhanced the positive effects of challenge appraisal on psychological symptoms, whereas styles involving avoidance and normative orientation to one’s home country dampened these positive effects.

Hybrid and Alternating Identity Styles as Strategies for Managing Multicultural Identities

The article introduces the concept of cultural identity styles, strategies that individuals use for decision making about identity-relevant issues, and proposes that blending and alternating are two strategies that acculturating individuals activate to manage multiple cultural identities. Drawing on diverse samples from New Zealand, Mauritius, and Israel, we present two studies. The first describes the construction of the Multicultural Identity Styles Scale (MISS) and the validation of its Hybrid Identity Style (HIS) and Alternating Identity Style (AIS) subscales. HIS was associated with greater blendedness as assessed by the Bicultural Identity Integration Scale (BIIS-1) and was more prominent in second-generation immigrants compared with their first-generation peers. AIS was associated with less BIIS harmony and was stronger in first-generation immigrants. In the second study, we propose, test, and replicate a mediational model, whereby cultural identity outcomes mediate the impact of cultural identity styles on well-being. Path analysis demonstrated that the motivation to integrate predicted the use of both HIS and AIS; however, HIS led to greater cultural identity consolidation and on to higher levels of well-being. In contrast, AIS predicted greater cultural identity conflict and poorer psychological adaptation. The studies advance our theorizing on biculturalism and integration by adopting a process-oriented approach to cultural identity negotiation.

A Capabilities Approach to Unequal Trajectories of Healthy Aging: The Importance of the Environment:

Objectives: We aimed to examine the relationships of older people’s standard of living and perceived quality of housing and neighborhoods, with different physical, mental, and social well-being trajectories over time. Method: Longitudinal data from 2,483 New Zealanders (55-70 years of age in 2006) surveyed biennially for 10 years were analyzed using latent profile growth analysis and MANOVA. Results: Five health trajectories were revealed: robust health, average good health, declining physical health, limitations in mental health and social well-being, or vulnerable health. Trajectory group membership was significantly related to economic standard of living, satisfaction with housing, quality of neighborhood, and social cohesion of neighborhood. Discussion: The findings support a focus on environmental resources to explain inequalities in health. Future research could focus on developing the basis of these associations. Policies to offset such inequalities would focus on social and physical environmental support for the maintenance of social, mental, and physical health in older age.

Prejudice Against Immigrants in Multicultural Societies

Migration is one of the most ancient traditions of humankind. From the beginning of human history, people have been moving places and crossing cultural and societal borders to search for new opportunities and a better life or to flee from war and natural disasters. Although migration is not a modern phenomenon, because of recent technological advancements in communication and transportation, moving across countries has become easier than ever before. This has resulted in a marked worldwide increase in the migrant stock over the past 50 years. In 2013, more than 230 million people were living as international immigrants, and it is projected that the migrant population will reach 400 million by 2050 (Martin, 2013). Globally, four major migration pathways can be identified. The largest exchange (36%) occurs between regions of the Global South, that is, people from less affluent countries moving to other undeveloped regions. The second largest flow (35%) goes from the Global South to the Global North, that is, people from undeveloped regions migrating to the developed world. It is worth noting that the South to North migration continues to rise and is soon expected to become the primary trend. International relocation within the Global North is also considerable (23%), whereas North to South migration contributes only a small proportion (6%) to the global trends. Although there are no notable gender differences in migration trends, age appears to be a significant factor. Of all immigrants, 15% are younger than age 20, and approximately 74% belong to the working-age population. In sum, the majority of international immigrants (59%) currently reside in the developed world, where, according to recent statistics, migration has become the primary source of population growth, highlighting its growing significance in terms of economic prosperity and sustainable social development (UN, 2013). At the same time, it is important to recognize that migration is not just an economic matter; it also has important implications for individuals and societies. As a result of globalization, demographic expansion, and increasing diversity within and across nations, plural societies are facing a wide range of social issues stemming from a multicultural reality, in which firsthand intercultural contact is an indispensable part of everyday experiences. Navigating these multiethnic contemporary societies has become increasingly complex and challenging, fostering public resistance to immigration and negative intergroup attitudes.

Loneliness, socio-economic status and quality of life in old age: the moderating role of housing tenure

ABSTRACT The study investigated housing tenure as a factor moderating the effects of loneliness and socio-economic status (SES) on quality of life (control and autonomy, pleasure, and self-realisation) over a two-year period for older adults. Data from the 2010 and 2012 waves of the New Zealand Health, Work, and Retirement Study were analysed. Using case-control matching, for each tenant (N = 332) we selected a home-owner (N = 332) of the same age, gender, ethnicity, SES, working status and urban/rural residence. Structural equation modelling was employed to examine the impact of SES, housing tenure and loneliness on quality of life over time. Emotional loneliness exerted a significant negative main effect on control and autonomy and pleasure. Tenure and SES influenced control and autonomy, but not pleasure or self-realisation. Tenure moderated the effect of emotional loneliness on control and autonomy, with the negative effect of emotional loneliness weaker for home-owners compared to renters. Tenure moderated the effect of SES on control and autonomy, with the positive impact of SES stronger for home-owners. Findings suggest that owners capitalise on their material and financial resources more than tenants in terms of their quality of life. In addition, home-ownership can act as a protective factor against the harmful effects of emotional loneliness in old age.