Examines patterns of acculturation of Soviet Jewish refugee adolescents who are adapting to life in the United States, as measured by psychological factors, peer relations, and school and family outcomes. The 162 adolescents?most originally from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Moldova–attended a public high school located in a predominantly Jewish community in suburban Maryland. Survey instruments included the Language, Identity and Behavioral Acculturation Scale, subscales adapted from the Multidimensional Scale for Latinos, and the Social Support Microsystems Scales. Results of the multidimensional study indicated that there is no superior acculturative style for these adolescents to adopt: while being American-oriented is advantageous in school and with American peers, being Russian-oriented facilitates relationships with parents and Russian peers. Meanwhile, acculturation to both Russian and American cultures gives the adolescent a sense of support from the widest range of contacts. A surprising finding was that American identity and Russian language competence, not English language competence, had a positive influence on grade point average (GPA). Further qualitative research that encompasses differences in ethnic density and tolerance of cultural diversity would help clarify how acculturation is related to adaptation. (69 references)
