The purpose of this program of research was to determine the value of autonomy for ethnic minorities. Self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000) has argued that the need for autonomy is universal. Subsequently, it was expected that, across a broad range of ethnicities, autonomous internalization of cultural norms would be associated with well-being. Furthermore, how multicultural individuals integrate their identities was also anticipated to impact on their well-being and their daily functioning. The present thesis is comprised of four studies. Study 1 assessed ethnic minorities' internalization of their host and heritage cultures. The results indicated that autonomous internalization was associated with cultural competence and context specific well-being. Furthermore, coming from an egalitarian heritage culture was associated with greater cultural internalization. Cultural adaptation in both heritage and English-Canadian cultures combined to predict psychological well-being. Finally, the ability to integrate one's heritage and host cultural identities was associated with well-being. / Study 2 and 3 examined the impact of parental autonomy support on heritage culture internalization. Study 2 was comprised of a sample of ethnic minorities living in Canada. Regression analyses revealed that parental autonomy support was related to autonomous internalization of the heritage culture and to higher self- and peer-reported well-being. Study 3 used a sample of Chinese-Malaysian sojourners. The results of study 3 replicated study 2. Sojourners were more likely to have autonomously internalized their heritage culture when they had autonomy supportive parents. Parental autonomy support was also associated with increased well-being. / Study 4 used an event-contingent daily recording strategy to examine the relation of perceived evaluations of a multicultural person's heritage group to the nature and quality of their social interactions. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses revealed that the valence of the evaluation of one's heritage culture impacted on the characteristics of the interaction. Moderator analyses revealed that how a person conceptualized their multicultural identity and their level of public collective self-esteem influenced how reactive they were to how their heritage group was being evaluated. Together, these results demonstrate the significance of autonomy and cultural integration for minorities' well-being.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.102496 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Downie, Michelle. |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Doctor of Philosophy (Department of Psychology.) |
| Rights | © Michelle Downie, 2006 |
| Relation | alephsysno: 002572669, proquestno: AAINR27773, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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