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Mental Health of Adolescents with Native, Immigrant, and Mixed-Heritage Backgrounds: The Mediating Role of Family and School Experiences

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Despite the growing population of youth with mixed-heritage background, little is known about their mental health. This study examined differences in life satisfaction, psychological, and somatic complaints between adolescents with native, immigrant, and mixed-heritage backgrounds, and whether the quality of their family and school relationships accounts for divides in mental health. A total of 150,920 adolescents ( M age =13.54, SD = 1.65; 51.79% female) from 32 countries participated in the 2017/18 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. Compared to natives, mixed-heritage adolescents had poorer mental health and worse family and school relationships, which accounted for observed mental health divides. Compared to immigrant-origin peers, mixed-heritage adolescents had slightly more psychological complaints but higher family support. Findings highlight more risks than resources associated with a mixed-heritage.
DOI: 10.1007/s10964-026-02425-7
Authors: Beatrice Bobba, Coriena De Heer, Mirna Naddour, Hester Sijtsma, Michela Lenzi, Maxim Dierckens, Camille Davisse-Paturet, Nour Hammami, Katarzyna Porwit, Rodrigo Antunes Lima, Catrin Finkenauer, Gonneke W.J.M. Gonneke
Institutions: Utrecht University, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, University of Padua, Ghent University, Trent University, University of Warsaw, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,890
OpenAlex ID: W7225828586
FWCI:
Cites: 80
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