The Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Cultural Adaptation Stress on the Relationship Between Bicultural Acceptance Attitude and Life Satisfaction Among Immigrant Adolescents

This study analyzed longitudinal changes in bicultural acceptance attitude, cultural adaptation stress, and life satisfaction among immigrant adolescents, and examined the mediating role of cultural adaptation stress. Data from 308 adolescents in the second wave of the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study (2019–2023) were used. Results showed that bicultural acceptance attitude and life satisfaction decreased over time, while cultural adaptation stress showed no clear trend. Higher initial bicultural acceptance attitude was linked to lower initial cultural adaptation stress, and higher initial stress was related to lower life satisfaction. Moreover, both the initial level and rate of change in bicultural acceptance attitude significantly affected life satisfaction. Bicultural acceptance attitude had an indirect effect on life satisfaction through cultural adaptation stress, though the longitudinal mediating effect at the change rate was not significant. These findings suggest that supporting immigrant adolescents with stress management in the early adaptation stage and promoting bicultural acceptance and cultural identity in later stages are essential for improving their quality of life and psychological well-being.