Scoping Review on psychological adaptation and sociocultural adaptation of adolescent migrants
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64966/rl.1661Palavras-chave:
adolescent migrants, psychological adaptation, sociocultural adaptation, instruments, scoping reviewResumo
Adaptation to a new society is especially complex during adolescence, a stage marked by heightened vulnerability and developmental transitions. This scoping review analyzes the conceptualization and measurement of psychological and sociocultural adaptation in migrant adolescents, considering quantitative or mixed-method empirical studies published in English or Spanish between 2019 and 2024, identified through searches in Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, SciELO, Redalyc, and BASE. Information on variables, instruments used, and their psychometric characteristics was extracted. Nine studies were included. Findings indicate that psychological adaptation is conceptualized as healthy functioning, positive self-esteem, and meaningful relationships with the environment, influenced by sociodemographic, psychological, and relational factors. Among 13 instruments measuring psychological adaptation, only one explicitly assesses the construct. Sociocultural adaptation was directly measured in only one study, defined as the ability to function effectively in daily life within the host culture, influenced by cultural identity and perceived cultural distance. These findings highlight the need for clearer conceptual distinctions and improved measurement tools in research on adolescent migrants' adaptation.
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