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Identity and Adaptation Among Minority Indo-Guyanese: Influence of Generational Status, Gender, Reference Group and Situation

Sonia S. Singh

Sophie Gaudet

University of Ottawa

The impact of ethnic reference group, situational characteristics, generational status, and gender on ethnic identification in relation to adaptation was studied in Indo-Guyanese immigrants living in Ottawa, Canada. Ninety-eight first-(n= 48) and second-generation (n= 50) participants completed a questionnaire in reference to their East-Indian ancestral group, their ingroup and the national Canadian group. Results show that identification was the product of a complex interaction among reference group, situation, generation and gender. The pattern of adaptation to each reference group was influenced by generational status, and greater identification with the Canadian group relative to the Guyanese group was related to positive relations with the Canadian group. The results are discussed within the context of current theories of acculturation and intergroup relations.

Key Words: acculturation • adaptation • gender • generation • identity • minority group

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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Clément, R. Articles by Gaudet, S. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?