The Social and Emotional Adjustment of Immigrant Children: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

This article reviews the existing research on the prevalence of social and emotional adjustment problems among immigrant children, examines the findings on the kinds of adjustment problems exacerbated by migration or particular to immigrant school children and reviews and assesses effectiveness of intervention programs developed specifically to aid such children. Also considered is a theoretical framework which would facilitate conceptualizing the process of immigration among children, their particular needs, and how these might best be met by primary and secondary preventive mental health interventions.