Are Immigrant Children in Italy Better Adjusted than Mainstream Italian Children?

School Success and School Engagement of Immigrant Children and Adolescents

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000139 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 126-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Frosso Motti-Stefanidi ◽

Ann S. Masten

Keyword(s):

Academic Achievement ◽

Academic Success ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

School Engagement ◽

School Success ◽

Immigrant Children ◽

Integrative Model ◽

High Stakes ◽

The Individual

Academic achievement in immigrant children and adolescents is an indicator of current and future adaptive success. Since the future of immigrant youths is inextricably linked to that of the receiving society, the success of their trajectory through school becomes a high stakes issue both for the individual and society. The present article focuses on school success in immigrant children and adolescents, and the role of school engagement in accounting for individual and group differences in academic achievement from the perspective of a multilevel integrative model of immigrant youths’ adaptation ( Motti-Stefanidi, Berry, Chryssochoou, Sam, & Phinney, 2012 ). Drawing on this conceptual framework, school success is examined in developmental and acculturative context, taking into account multiple levels of analysis. Findings suggest that for both immigrant and nonimmigrant youths the relationship between school engagement and school success is bidirectional, each influencing over time the other. Evidence regarding potential moderating and mediating roles of school engagement for the academic success of immigrant youths also is evaluated.

Download Full-text

Factorial Structure of the SCAS and Its Relationship With the SDQ

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000117 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 28-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Daniela Di Riso ◽

Daphne Chessa ◽

Andrea Bobbio ◽

Adriana Lis

Keyword(s):

Age Differences ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Factor Model ◽

Community Sample ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Factorial Structure ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Culturally Based ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

Italian Children

The factorial structure of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS; Spence, 1997 ) was examined in a community sample of 1,397 Italian children from 8 to 10 years old. Sex and age differences as regards anxiety symptoms were also analyzed. The convergent validity of the SCAS was explored through correlations with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; Goodman, 1997 ). The use of confirmatory factor analysis supported the six correlated factor model of the SCAS with only minor differences compared to the original work by Spence (1997 ), and it was therefore named SCAS-it. Modifications to the original SCAS were supported by methodologically, theoretically, and culturally based arguments. The internal consistency of the SCAS-it was acceptable. Females displayed significantly higher levels of anxiety symptoms than males, while age differences were nonsignificant. Positive correlations were found between the SCAS-it and selected subscales of the SDQ. The results support the SCAS model, with few exceptions that do not threaten the utility of Spence’s tool.

Download Full-text