title: Marginal and happy? The need for uniqueness predicts the adjustment of marginal immigrants.
abstract: Marginalization is often presented as the strategy associated with the worst adjustment for immigrants. This study identifies a critical variable that buffers marginal immigrants from the negative effects of marginalization on adjustment: The need for uniqueness. In three studies, we surveyed immigrants recruited on university campuses (n = 119, n = 116) and in the field (n = 61). Among marginal immigrants, a higher need for uniqueness predicted higher self-esteem (Study 1), affect (Study 2), and life satisfaction (Study 3), and marginally higher happiness (Study 2) and self-esteem (Study 3). No relationship between the need for uniqueness and adjustment was found among non-marginal immigrants. The adaptive value of the need for uniqueness for marginal immigrants is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.|Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Régine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Debrosse
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Roxane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de la Sablonnière
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Columbia University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossignac-Milon
mesh_terms: D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D000066498:Emotional Adjustment; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012934:Social Isolation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: acculturation; biculturalism; distinctiveness; life satisfaction; marginalization; self-esteem