Dual identity and psychological adjustment: A study among immigrant-origin members

Abstract

This study examines immigrants’ psychological adjustment by focusing on ethnic and national identification, by using a Latent Profile Analysis to identify identity profiles, and by examining psychological outcomes at a same time point and over time (average 3-year interval). Among a national sample of immigrant groups in the Netherlands (Wave 1, N = 1939), four identity profiles were identified: ethnic identity, national identity, equal-medium dual identity, and high dual identity. For four indicators of psychological adjustment (life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, emotional loneliness, and social loneliness) and at the first and second wave (Wave 2, N = 848), a robust pattern was found: high dual identifiers had better psychological adjustment compared to people with one of the other three profiles.