The Acculturation of East African Adolescents in USA High Schools

• In Event: Center Culture To Increase Learning

Proposal

Acculturation continues to be of interest to researchers in the field of cross-cultural psychology. This dissertation research will look to understand the experience of acculturation among East African adolescent immigrants to the United States. The study will explore the contributing factors of the acculturation process of East African immigrant adolescents, specifically those from Somali, Kenyan, and Ethiopian, in the American high school system where adolescents may potentially be introduced to their new host culture. Literature shows that the East African population is rarely researched in the area of acculturation and is oftentimes grouped with other immigrant populations including African-Americans. The purpose of this study is not only to add to the literature in cross-cultural psychology and other fields but to inform and advocate for effective interventions in American schools to support the psychological well-being of African immigrant adolescents. A cross-cultural psychology approach will be used to direct this study. The participant focus is East African immigrants between the ages of 12-18 who are currently living in the United States. The study will investigate the phenomenon of acculturation within this population, with the dual goals of influencing future studies on this topic and of guiding policies and practices with these adolescents in the United States.
Keywords: acculturation, African immigrants, adolescents, well-being, school success

Author

• Marcella Chiromo