Influence of Acculturation on Psychological Distress and Intergenerational Cultural Dissonance

Abstract

This research is a correlational cross-sectional study that envisions the effect of acculturation on returnee adolescents from western countries upholding individualistic culture to the collectivist culture of Pakistan. It primarily gauges psychological distress and intergenerational cultural dissonance (ICD) as experienced by acculturating adolescents. The sample consisted of 100 returnee adolescents with the age range of 14 to 19 years (M =16.1, SD =1.89). The stipulated scales of the Vancouver Index of Acculturation (Paulhus, 2013), Kessler psychological distress scale K10 (Kessler et al., 2002), and Family Conflict Scale (Lee et al., 2000) were used. Data
was collected using the purposive snowball strategy. Regression analysis, Pearson Correlation, and independent t-test indicated that Acculturation significantly predicted the level of Psychological-distress, and ICD, and females exhibited significantly more Psychological-distress and ICD than their male counterparts. The results facilitate multicultural competency and aid in a
better understanding of returnee adolescents’ psychological well-being.