title: Explaining the 'immigration advantage' and the 'biculturalism paradox': an application of the theory of demoralization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent immigrants have better mental health than the natives ('immigration advantage'). Biculturals have better mental health than the monoculturals ('biculturalism paradox').
  
  
  METHODS
  Mexican immigrants have lower rates of psychopathology than the U.S. population. This is less true for Cubans and not true for Puerto Ricans. The 'advantage' also occurs in other groups. Biculturals have better mental health and endorse both cultures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The theory of demoralization predicts that borrowing values from both cultures and applying them judiciously are more conducive to mental health than indiscriminately subscribing to either culture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings are consistent with the theory of demoralization.
authors: Yale University School of Medicine, Cheshire, CT, USA.
authors: John M
authors: JM
authors: de Figueiredo
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003469:Culture; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology; D008800:Mexico / Q000208:ethnology; D009014:Morals; D012945:Social Values; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Immigration advantage; acculturative stress; biculturalism paradox; cultural minorities; demoralization; mental health