The Dual Mediating Effect of Depression and Parental Support on the Relationship between Acculturation Stress and Life Satisfaction among Late-entry Multicultural Adolescents in South Korea : A Moderated Mediation by National Identity = 한국 중도입국 다문화가정 청소년의 문화적응 스트레스와 삶의 만족의 관계에서 우울과 부모지지의 이중 매개효과 ? 국가 정체성의 조절된 매개효과 -

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study examines the complex relationship between acculturation stress and life satisfaction among late-entry multi-cultural adolescents in South Korea, with a particular focus on the dual mediating roles of depression and parental support, and the moderated mediating role of national identity. With South Korea undergoing a demographic transformation due to the rise of multi-cultural populations, understanding the psychological well-being of youth from diverse backgrounds is both timely and crucial. Using a moderated mediation framework, this research investigates how cultural stressors encountered by multi-cultural adolescents affect their psychological and emotional outcomes. The study is based on data from the second wave of the Multi-cultural Adolescents Panel Survey (MAPS 2nd wave), with a final sample size of 318 adolescents selected according to specific criteria aligned with the study’s variables. The research employs SPSS PC+ Win ver. 25.0 and SPSS PROCESS macro ver. 4.2. The data analysis was performed by using statistical techniques such as frequency analysis, reliability analysis, t-test and one-way ANOVA for mean comparison analysis, Pearson’s bivariate correlation analysis, simple mediating effect analysis, dual mediating analysis, moderating effect analysis, and moderated mediating effect analysis. The results reveal several significant patterns as follows : First, based on residential area, significant differences were found in depression and national identity. However, gender and age did not have noticeable significant differences among the general characteristics of the targeted multi-cultural adolescents. Second, acculturation stress had a significant positive correlation with depression and a significant negative correlation with life satisfaction and parental support, but it did not have significant correlation with national identity. Likewise, depression was negatively correlated with life satisfaction, in addition to parental support and national identity. Contrarily, life satisfaction was positively correlated with parental support and national identity. Lastly, there was a positive correlational relationship between parental support and national identity. Third, depression had a mediating effect on the relationship between acculturation stress and life satisfaction. Fourth, parental support played a mediating role in the relationship between acculturation stress and life satisfaction. Fifth, depression and parental support had a dual mediating effect on the relationship between acculturation stress and life satisfaction. Sixth, national identity had a moderating effect on the relationship between parental support and life satisfaction. Seventh, as national identity increased, the negative effect of acculturation stress on life satisfaction through depression and parental support became stronger, which indicates that national identity plays an alleviating moderated mediating role in this relationship. The study makes several contributions to the literature on multi-cultural child and adolescent development. It integrates psychological, familial, and sociocultural dimensions within a single analytical framework, providing a comprehensive view of the mechanisms that influence adolescent life satisfaction. It also expands upon existing theories of acculturation and identity development by empirically testing the conditional effects of national identity in a South Korean context.

Keywords: Multi-cultural Adolescents, Acculturation Stress, Life Satisfaction, Depression, Parental Support, National Identity, South Korea, Mediating Effect, Moderating Effect, Moderated Mediating Effect.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Abstract.......................................................................................................................................ⅴ
• Ⅰ. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1
• 1. Necessity and Purpose of the Study................................................................................... 1
• 2. Research Questions.............................................................................................................. 3
• 3. Definitions of Terms............................................................................................................. 4
• Ⅱ. Theoretical Background........................................................................................................ 7
• 1. Life Satisfaction...................................................................................................................... 7
• 2. Acculturation Stress ..............................................................................................................9
• 3. Relationship between Acculturation Stress and Life Satisfaction................................ 12
• 4. Dual Mediating Role of Depression and Parental Support............................................. 15
• 5. Moderating Role of National Identity ................................................................................. 27
• Ⅲ. Research Methodology .......................................................................................................32
• 1. Research Model..................................................................................................................... 32
• 2. Participants and Data Collection .........................................................................................32
• 3. Research Tools ......................................................................................................................34
• 4. Data Analysis..........................................................................................................................36
• Ⅳ. Research Results..................................................................................................................38
• 1. Differences by Demographic Characteristics ...................................................................38
• 2. Correlation Among Key Variables.......................................................................................42
• 3. Mediating Effect of Depression ..........................................................................................43
• 4. Mediating Effect of Parental Support ................................................................................ 45
• 5. Dual Mediating Effect of Depression and Parental Support ........................................... 47
• 6. Moderating Effect of National Identity ...............................................................................50
• 7. Moderated Mediating Effect of National Identity...............................................................53
• Ⅴ. Discussion and Conclusion...................................................................................................59
• 1. Discussion ...............................................................................................................................59
• 2. Conclusion...............................................................................................................................63
• References...................................................................................................................................67
• 국문초록..........................................................................................................................................75
• Appendix.......................................................................................................................................77
• 1. English Questionnaire .............................................................................................................77
• 2. Korean Questionnaire.............................................................................................................80
• Acknowledgement...................................................................................................................... 83