The purpose of this study was to investigate a variety of resilience factors to understand the adjustment of children of multicultural families, and grasp what factors mediated the effects of risk environment.
In order to achieve this purpose, this s...
The purpose of this study was to investigate a variety of resilience factors to understand the adjustment of children of multicultural families, and grasp what factors mediated the effects of risk environment.
In order to achieve this purpose, this study examined the general characteristics of children of multicultural families and understood resilience factors which explained the difference between well-adjusted children group(high risk-high resilience) and poorly adjusted children group(high risk-low resilience group) of multicultural families in the same risk situation. Also, the effects of risk factors on social resilience and whether resilience factors mediated these effects.
The subjects were 210 adolescents of multicultural families attending middle and high schools located in Gwangju and Jeonnam. The measures used for this study included a resilience scale, a risk scale, and youth self-report, which were developed or modified by this researcher. Materials were analyzed by using frequency analysis, t-test, correlation analysis, multiple regression, and hierarchical multiple regression.
Finally the following results were obtained.
First, there was a difference in scio-demographic characteristics in children of multicultural families. Specifically, adolescents who were high in economic status showed high resilience.
Second, the high risk-high resilience group showed higher interpersonal skill, peer support, and community support than the high risk-low resilience group. This result showed that individual's interpersonal skill, peer relationship and interaction, and community concern and support served as important factors in resilience promotion in children of multicultural families.
Third, correlation analysis was carried out to examine the relationship between risk and resilience factors and social adjustment. As a result, while risk factors were negatively correlated with social adjustment, resilience were positively correlated. Also, regression analysis were carried out to examine the effects of risk factors on social adjustment in children of multicultural families. As a result, the effect of social risks was found. Social environment experience(e.g. teachers' or friends' violence, bullying, or delinquency) had a greater effect on the social adjustment than personal experience(e.g. individual depression, physical diseases, or violence) and family-related experience(parents' death, diseases, or business fail) in children of multiculatural families.
Finally, resilience factors had an effect on social adjustment. As resilience was increased, the effects of risk factors were decreased and thus social adjustment became higher. On the other hand, as resilience was decreased, the effects of risk factors were increased and thus social adjustment became lower. Also, the resilience factor meditating the effects of personal risks was found as cultural accommodation; the resilience factor meditating the effects of family risks was found as an interpersonal skill; and the resilience factor meditating the effects of social risks were found as an interpersonal skill and community support.
This study demonstrated that since high resilience contributed to high social adjustment even in the same risk accidents, if necessary resources are timely provided to promote resilience, it would be possible to elicit positive development. Accordingly, a systematic support system should be built up and various education, counseling, and programs with economic support should be developed to support children of multicultural families. Furthermore, it is necessary to reinforce field staff's capability through professional cultivation and create a community network for integration and coordination.