Abstract
This paper provides an empirical perspective on the relationship between immigration and selfimage in a sample of German and Greek adolescents. The subjects were Greeks (non-migrants,n=128), Germans (n=103) and Greek migrants living in West Germany (n=103). The Offer Self-image Questionnaire (OISQ) was used as a multidimensional measure of psychological, social and sexual self, and family relations. Comparisons were made between the mean scores of the three national groups on subscales of the OSIQ. Greek migrants had quite distinct self-image profiles that were intermediate between non-migrating Greeks and native Germans. Gender and age differences in self-image were pronounced in sub-scales of the OSIQ. Migrants were more emotional than non-migrants, less introverted, more liberal in their sexual attitudes and displayed superior adjustment. Compared with their German counterparts, migrants emerged as more impulsive and emotional, with an inferior body image, higher achievement motivation, lower mental ill-health but with higher adjustment. The results showed that when both Greek samples (non-migrants and migrants) were taken together and compared to Germans then differences emerged and indicated small but significant cross-cultural differences in personality.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Athanasou JA, Georgoussis P (1993) Patterns of cultural involvement and the ethnic identity of Greek-Australian adolescents (in Greek). Sch Life 11: 337–344
Athanasou JA (1989) Ethnic background and identity among Greek-Australian high school pupils. Aust Educ Dev Psychol 6: 10–14
Burnam MA, Telles CA, Karno M, Hough RL, Escobar JL (1987) Measurement of acculturation in a community population of Mexican Americans. Hispanic Behav Sci 9: 105–130
Doumanis M (1983) Mothering in Greece from collectivism to individualism. Academic Press, London
Fichter MM, Elton M, Sourdi L, Weyerer S, Koptagel-Hal G (1988) Anorexia nervosa in Greek and Turkish adolescents. Eur Arch Psychiatr Neurol Sci 237: 200–208
Furnham A, Bochner S (1986) Culture shock. Psychological reactions to unfamiliar environments. Routledge, London
Geertz C (1973) The interpretation of cultures. Basic Books, New York
Goldlust J, Richmond AH (1974) A multivariate model of immigrant adaptation. Int. Migration Rev 8: 193–225
Ierodiakonou CS (1988) Adolescents mental health and the Greek family: preventive aspects. J. Adolesc 11: 11–19
Isaacs E (1975) Greek children in Sydney. Australian National University Press Canberra
La Fromboise T, Coleman HLK, Gerton J (1993) Psychological impact of biculturalism: evidence and theory. Psychol Bull 114: 395–412
Majoribanks K (1986) Australian families and adolescents aspirations: follow-up analysis. J. Comp Fam Stud 17: 333–348
Malhotra MK (1989) Problems, plans and ambitions of German and foreign adolescents. Adolescence 24: 741–745
Offer D, Howard KI (1972) An empirical analysis of the Offer Self-Image questionnaire for adolescents. Arch Gen Psychiatry 27: 529–537
Offer D (1969) The psychological world of the teenager. Basic Books, New York
Offer D, Ostrov E, Howard KI (1977) The self-image of adolescents: a study of four cultures. J Adoles 6: 265–280
Offer D, Ostrov K, Howard KI (1989) Der Offer-Selbstbild-Fragebogen fur Jugendliche, Handbuch (2nd edn) In: Steinhausen HC, Handbuch. Zurich
Oppler M (1956) Culture, psychiatry and human values. C. Thomas, Springfield
Parker G, Lipscombe P (1979) Parental characteristics of Jews and Greeks in Australia. Aust NZ J Psychiatry 13: 225–229
Rosenthal DA (1984) Intergenerational conflict and culture: a study of immigrant and non-immigrant adolescents and their parents. Genet Psychol Monogr 109: 53–75
Rosenthal DA, Hrynevich C (1985) Ethnicity and ethnic identity: a comparative study of Greek-, Italian- and Anglo-Australian adolescents. Int. J. Psychol 20: 723–742
Rosenthal DA, Bell R, Demetriou A, Efklides A (1989a) From collectivism to individualism? The acculturation of Greek immigrants in Australia. Int J Psychol 24: 57–71
Rosenthal DA, Demetriou A, Efklides A (1989b) A cross-national study of the influence of culture on conflict between parents and adolescents. Int J Behav Dev 12: 207–219
Rosenthal DA, Moore SM, Taylor M (1983) Ethnicity and adjustment: a study of the self-image of Anglo-, Greek- and Italian-Australian working class adolescents. J Youth Adolesc 12: 117–135
Sampson EE (1988) The debate on individualism: indigenous psychologies of the individual and their role in personal and societal functioning. Am Psychol 43: 15–22
Schlossberg NK (1981) A model for analyzing human adaptation to transition. Counselling Psychol 9: 2–36
Shweder RA, Sullivan MA (1993) Cultural psychology: who needs it? Annu Rev Psycho 44: 497–523
Steinhausen H-C, Offer D, Ostrov E, Howard KI (1988) Transcultural comparison of self-image in German and United States adolescents. J Youth Adolesc 17: 515–520
Turner JC (1982) Towards a cognitive redefinition of the social group. In: Tajfel (ed) Social identity and intergroup relations, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 15–16
Weyerer S, Elton M, Dialline M, Fichter MM (1986) The principal component structure of the General Health Questionnaire among Greek and Turkish adolescents. Eur Arch Psychiatry Neurol Sci 236: 75–82
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kirkcaldy, B.D., Siefen, G., Athanasou, J.A. et al. The self-image of Greek, Greek-migrant and German adolescents. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 31, 241–247 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00785774
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00785774