The impacts of acculturative stress and social competence on the mental health of Mainland Chinese immigrant youth in Hong Kong

Abstract

Attempts were made to examine migration stressors, social competence, and mental health status of immigrant youth in Hong Kong and to examine the effects of social competence on stress and the mental health of immigrant youth. Data on 106 immigrant youth, which were collected through a structured questionnaire, were analysed. It was discovered that immigrant youth found survival issues and losses, rather than cultural differences and unfulfilled expectations, to be stressful. Male immigrant youth exhibited more psychological distress symptoms than female immigrant youth. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that social competence exerted moderating effects on stress and the mental health of immigrant youth. Immigrant youth who had a higher level of social competence, in terms of self-control, empathy, assertiveness and the ability to read social cues, had less stress and enjoyed better mental health. In conclusion, personal and socio-cultural reasons are put forward to explain the findings. Practice and policy implications are also discuss.