Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between shyness and
acculturation modes of Chinese immigrant youth in Canada and whether shyness
moderates the relationship between acculturation and adaptation. In addition, I examined
whether shyness, in conjunction with sociability, moderates the relationship between
acculturation and adaptation. Ninety-nine young Chinese immigrants (42 men), ranging
in age from 16 to 26 years old, completed a questionnaire that assessed their demographic
information, acculturation modes, shyness, sociability, psychological adaptation Oife
satisfaction, self-esteem, and depression), and socio-cultural adaptation.
Results showed that Chinese orientation was significantly and negatively
correlated with age, generation status, English proficiency, and length of residence in
Canada. In contrast, Canadian orientation was significantly and positively correlated with
generation status, English proficiency, and length of residence in Canada. Canadian
orientation was also significantly and negatively correlated with shyness and positively
correlated with sociability and psychological and socio-cultural adaptation. Participants
who were shyer were more likely to have poorer psychological and socio-cultural
adaptation, and to report lower life satisfaction and self-esteem and higher depression.
Results from hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that Chinese
immigrant youth who were separated had higher scores on shyness than those who were
integrated and assimilated. There were no significant differences in shyness between
youth who were separated and youth who were marginalized, nor were there differences
between youth who were integrated and those who were assimilated. Furthermore,
integrated Chinese youth reported significantly higher scores in sociability than those
who were separated and marginalized but not significantly higher than those who were
assimilated.' Shyness did not moderate the relationship between acculturation modes and
psychological and socio-cultural adaptation. Unfortunately, the hypothesis to examine if
shyness, in combination with sociability, moderated the relationship between
acculturation and psychological adaptation could not be tested in the present study
because of limitations in cell sizes.
The findings suggested that how Chinese immigrant youth acculturate in the
receiving country might not be the crucial factor in determining their adaptation. Instead,
other factors, such as personality characteristics and nature of the acculturating group,
may playa more crucial role. Shyness may have important ramifications for the
acculturation and adaptation of young Chinese immigrants to a new society.
