Faculty Sponsor: Professor Andrea Negrete
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine predictors of critical motivation among Asian immigrant-origin adolescents. Previous research suggests that immigration policies directly impact immigrant-origin youth in many aspects of their lives such as health and education. However, this research expands on previous findings to examine how restrictive immigration policies relate to critical motivation to challenge injustice and whether that relationship varies depending on personally knowing someone who is affected by immigration policies. Using a multi-group path analysis, the research will assess the relationships between levels of restrictive state immigration policies and critical motivation through mediating variables of trust in the American promise and anger towards social injustice. Furthermore, the study will examine moderation by whether participants report knowing someone who is impacted by immigration policies. A Pearson correlation test depicted statistical significance among the mediator variables and critical motivation; however, through this preliminary data analysis, a more representative way to measure the level of restrictive state immigration policy seems necessary to fully examine the conceptual model. Findings from the proposed study seek to increase understanding of the role of macrostructures such as state immigration policies on the sociopolitical development of Asian immigrant youth. This study attempts to serve as a case to better understand how the critical motivation of Asian immigrant-origin adolescents develops through such oppressing macrostructures.Â
2022-Summer-Research-Poster-Gloria-Kang