Acculturation and self-construals of Greek migrant adolescents in Germany

This study explored differences and similarities in acculturation and self-construals in a Greek migrant sample of second and third generation adolescents in Germany. The sample consisted of N = 67 Greek adolescents (age M = 13.62 years) from a city in Southern Germany. The instruments consisted of pre-tested measures on acculturation and self-construals. Results showed that in both generations, the involvement in the Greek culture was significantly higher than the involvement in the German culture. No differences were found between the second and third generation with respect to adolescents¢ independent as well as interdependent self-construals. However, third generation adolescents showed a higher independent as compared to interdependent self-construal. This was not the case for second generation adolescents. The involvement in the Greek culture but not the involvement in German culture showed a positive relation to Greek adolescents¢ interdependent as well as independent self-construals for both, second and third generation. Overall, the third generation of Greek adolescents does not seem to be more acculturated than the second generation, and involvement in the culture of origin seems to be relevant for adolescents¢ self-construal. The results are discussed with a focus on the special acculturative situation of Greek migrants in Germany.