Biculturalism and Psychological Well-Being: Investigating the Role of Socioeconomic Status

Abstract

This online study investigated the role of socioeconomic status in previously established relationships between bicultural identity integration (or bicultural self-efficacy) and psychological well-being (or life satisfaction) among bicultural immigrant students at a large Canadian university (N = 403). A comprehensive measure of socioeconomic status was utilized to measure income, level of education, and occupational status of participants’ guardians, as well as to determine participants’ access to financial resources and sources of psychosocial supports and stressors (in the domains of interpersonal relationships, home and neighbourhood environment, individual health, and religious affiliation). The study found that socioeconomic status is responsible for a large variance in the relationship between bicultural identity integration (or bicultural self-efficacy) and psychological well-being (and life satisfaction). Within socioeconomic status, the domains of interpersonal relationships and surrounding environment were significant contributors to these relationships, while guardians’ incomes, levels of education, and occupational statuses were insignificant along with participants’ financial resources, individual health, and religious affiliation.