International Journal of Intercultural Relations
27 (2003) 23–40
Ethnic identification, self-esteem and immigrant
psychological health
Drew Nesdalea,*, Anita S. Makb
aSchool of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, PMB 50 Gold Coast Campus, Parklands Drive,
Southport, Qld. 4215, Australia
bCentre for Applied Psychology, University of Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
Abstract
This study focused on the psychological consequences of immigration. It was designed to
assess the relative significance of a range of variables in predicting the ethnic identification,
personal and ethnic self-esteem, and psychological health of members of a variety of
immigrant groups to Australia. Of particular interest was the possible impact of the degree of
cultural distance between the immigrant groups and the host country. The study included 510
adult participants from Hong Kong, Vietnam, Bosnia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The
results
indicated that the main predictors of ethnic identification (i.e.,
immigrants’
identification with their culture of origin) were cultural distance, extent of friendshipwith
Australians, the degree to which the immigrants were involved with their ethnic communities,
and their ability to speak English. The immigrants’ level of ethnic identification was found to
be the primary determinant of ethnic self-esteem whereas the main predictors of personal self-
esteem were individual achievements and accomplishments. Finally, immigrant psychological
health was mainly dependent upon personal self-esteem rather than ethnic self-esteem and/or
ethnic identification. The findings are discussed in relation to theories and research on ethnic
adaptation, in addition to social identity theory.
r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Ethnicity: identification; Self-esteem; Acculturation; Adaptation; Immigrant
*Corresponding author. School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, PMB 50 Gold Coast Mail
Centre, Qld. 9726, Australia. Tel.: +61-7-555-28878; fax: +61-7-555-28909.
E-mail address: d.nesdale