Examining the Relationship between Bicultural Stress and Psychological Well-being among Korean Adolescents in Singapore: A Mixed Methods Study

The study investigated the acculturation experiences of Korean adolescents in Singapore by exploring the bicultural stress they experience and how they identify themselves as well as the moderation effect of ethnic identity on the relationship between bicultural stress and psychological well-being. This study used an exploratory sequential mixed method. The qualitative study found six themes related to stress and the identity formation of these Korean adolescents in terms of peer, family, and the linguistic contexts of Singapore. Based on these findings, measures were selected and modified where necessary for the quantitative portion of the study to examine the moderating effect of ethnic identity. The primary model testing showed that ethnic identity did not buffer the impact of bicultural stress on psychological well-being, rather enhanced the impact of stress on depression for Korean adolescents who reported having a stronger ethnic identity. The implications for practices and policies are discussed.

Author dc:creator

• CHUNG YOU JIN

• Korean immigrant adolescents, bicultural stress, ethnic identity, psychological well-being, mixed methods, Singapore