Perceived sense of discrimination in relation to behavioral problems and psychological distress in Turkish immigrant adolescents.

This study was designed to test mediation and moderation models between sense of general or ethnic discrimination, psychological distress, and behavioral problems. The sample consisted of 68 first- and second generation Turkish-Dutch mothers and their 11- to 13- year old adolescent children. Sense of general or ethnic discrimination and psychological distress was measured by questionnaires filled out by the adolescents. A questionnaire about the child’s behavioral problems was filled out by mother. It was found that young adolescents who perceived that they were being discriminated against also reported more psychological distress. Mothers of adolescents with more psychological distress reported more behavioral problems. An indirect effect between sense of general discrimination and behavioral problems, via the mediator psychological distress was found. No direct relation between sense of general discrimination and behavioral problems was found and no moderating role of...Show moreThis study was designed to test mediation and moderation models between sense of general or ethnic discrimination, psychological distress, and behavioral problems. The sample consisted of 68 first- and second generation Turkish-Dutch mothers and their 11- to 13- year old adolescent children. Sense of general or ethnic discrimination and psychological distress was measured by questionnaires filled out by the adolescents. A questionnaire about the child’s behavioral problems was filled out by mother. It was found that young adolescents who perceived that they were being discriminated against also reported more psychological distress. Mothers of adolescents with more psychological distress reported more behavioral problems. An indirect effect between sense of general discrimination and behavioral problems, via the mediator psychological distress was found. No direct relation between sense of general discrimination and behavioral problems was found and no moderating role of psychological distress was found in the relation between discrimination and behavioral problems. Our study with third generation adolescents contributes to the information that was already available about sense of discrimination, psychological distress and behavioral problems in first- and second- generation adolescents, making it possible to compare between different generations.Show less

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Perceived sense of discrimination in relation to behavioral problems and psychological distress in Turkish immigrant adolescents.