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Engendering Immigrant Psychology: An Intersectionality Perspective

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Abstract

In this paper, using an intersectionality perspective, we tested the idealized cultural identities model proposed by Mahalingam (Cultural psychology of immigrants. Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ, pp 1–14, 2006) using a sample of Asian Americans (N = 151). According to the structural model, idealized identities positively relate to ethnic pride, which is positively related to resilience. The data had excellent fit (Comparative Fitness Index = .99). Idealized patriarchal beliefs regarding femininity positively related to model minority pride (b = .34, p < .0001) and idealized patriarchal beliefs regarding masculinity were positively related to model minority pride (b = .29, p < .001). Additionally, model minority pride was positively related to resilience (b = .25, p < .001) which was negatively related to depression (b = −.46, p < .0001). Further, we discuss the significance of the intersectionality perspective in studying immigrants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1043, USA

    Ramaswami Mahalingam & Sundari Balan

  2. Hope Lab, 1991 Broadway Street, Suite 136, Redwood City, CA, 94063-1957, USA

    Jana Haritatos

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  1. Ramaswami Mahalingam
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  2. Sundari Balan
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  3. Jana Haritatos
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Correspondence to Ramaswami Mahalingam.

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Mahalingam, R., Balan, S. & Haritatos, J. Engendering Immigrant Psychology: An Intersectionality Perspective. Sex Roles 59, 326–336 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-008-9495-2

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