(PS6-79) Finding Home in Two Worlds: The Protective Effects of Bicultural Acceptance on Peer Victimization and Depression in Multicultural Adolescents in South Korea

Abstract Text: Multicultural youth face a higher risk for interpersonal victimization, including peer victimization and sexual violence, compared to non-immigrant youth (Maynard et al., 2017; Strohmeier et al., 2011). In addition, they report higher levels of depression, anxiety, and interpersonal difficulties (Osooli et al., 2021). Previous studies have demonstrated that acculturation stress may exacerbate the depressive symptoms in adolescents who experience peer victimization (Oh et al., 2002). However, no studies have examined how bicultural acceptance (BA), defined as the attitude of accepting both cultures of the host country and that of the foreign parental country (Park & Bae, 2024), can influence the relationship between peer victimization and depressive symptoms. Researchers suggest that individuals from multicultural backgrounds (i.e., one or both parents are immigrants) often view themselves as a new monocultural entity that integrates both cultures rather than choosing one culture or accepting two cultures as separate (Xie et al., 2022). Therefore, the current study aimed to examine how bicultural acceptance differentially impacts peer victimization and depressive symptoms among multicultural youth in Korea.

Data from 1835 multicultural adolescents (MAge=14.05 years, 48.5% women) obtained from the 2023 Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study was used for the analyses. 7.8% of the adolescents endorsed peer victimization in the last 6 months. The interaction analysis showed that BA significantly moderated the relationship between peer victimization and depressive symptoms, indicating that the strength of the relationship changed depending on the level of BA. In particular, the strength of the peer victimization-depressive symptoms weakened as levels of BA increased. The effect was significant at low (-1 SD) and medium (mean) levels of BA but not at high (+1 SD) levels, suggesting that the effects of peer victimization on depressive symptoms were stronger for adolescents who endorsed low and medium levels of BA compared to those with high levels. These findings suggest that adolescents with high levels of BA may be more resilient against the harmful impacts of peer victimization on depressive symptoms.

These findings highlight the importance of understanding cultural factors unique to multicultural adolescents, such as BA, that may influence their mental health. Addressing these structural and identity-based factors can increase the generalizability of evidence-based interventions for diverse, underrepresented youth, such as multicultural youth. By understanding how BA may serve as a potential protective factor, these findings inform mental health professionals and policymakers in the development of school and community-based interventions. Incorporation of these factors into the interventions can support multicultural youth by promoting a positive bicultural identity and helping them navigate the challenges of peer victimization.