Explores whether and how social support functions as a moderator and mediator of the effect of acculturation on mental health. Study participants were 137 eighth-grade students from such countries as Pakistan, Turkey, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia who attended schools in Oslo, Norway. Among the key findings were that: (1) ethnic identity crisis and perceived discrimination were positively correlated with increased distress and reduced self-esteem; (2) host culture competence on the part of students was positively correlated with support from the host society network of the classroom and teachers, one of the factors also correlated with mental health; and (3) the overall effect of acculturation on mental health appeared to be relatively small compared to other aspects of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development these immigrant adolescents were experiencing. Findings demonstrate that there are several acculturation pathways, including supportive relationships, associated with positive mentalhealth outcomes. A more comprehensive understanding of the effect of acculturation on mental health may require an elaboration of the scales of culture competence to better reflect age-relevant developmental progress.
