title: Brief report: When does identity lead to negative affective experiences? A comparison of Turkish-Bulgarian and Turkish-German adolescents.
abstract: We examine relationships between social identity domains (ethnic, national, and religious) and negative affect among Turkish-Bulgarian and Turkish-German youth. Path analysis confirmed a multiple social identities (MSI) factor that has negative relations to experiencing negative affect for Turkish youth in both countries. Beyond this negative relationship, the component of national identity showed a positive relationship to negative affect for Turkish-Bulgarians, but not for Turkish-Germans. Our findings indicate that beyond the generally adaptive effect of MSI on youth development, unique components of social identity may not always be an asset: In an assimilative acculturation context (i.e., Bulgaria), the endorsement of national identity was not adaptive. Our research therefore highlights the need for a contextually differentiated view on "healthy" identity formation among immigrants for research and practice.
authors.affiliation: Bahçeşehir University, Turkey. Electronic address: arzu.karakulak@eas.bahcesehir.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Arzu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aydinli-Karakulak
authors.affiliation: Stockholm University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Radosveta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dimitrova
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D002031:Bulgaria; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012933:Social Identification; D014421:Turkey / Q000208:ethnology
keywords: Multiple social identities; Turkish–Bulgarian; Turkish–German; Youth