This Article Full Text (PDF) References 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 Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Add to My Marked Citations Google Scholar Articles by Turjeman, H. Articles by Fishman, G. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Social Identity, Identity Formation, and Delinquency

University of Haifa, Israel, hagitt{at}univ.haifa.ac.il

Gustavo Mesch

University of Haifa, Israel, gustavo{at}soc.haifa.ac.il

Gideon Fishman

University of Haifa, Israel, fgidi{at}univ.haifa.ac.il

The purpose of this study has been to gain knowledge about the shaping of social identity among immigrants and the effect of that identity on delinquent behavior. The data are based on a longitudinal study conducted in Israel on 773 immigrant youths from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) who participated in the study for three years. Results from logistic regressions suggest that different models can explain different strategies of identity formation. Regarding delinquent behavior, the assimilation strategy of identity change increases the likelihood of delinquent behavior, but the impact of the assimilation is challenged by the effect of the proportion of the immigrants' Israeli friends. The discussion introduces the concept of subjective and objective assimilation as a possible explanation for the contradictory findings.

Key Words: adolescent • assimilation • delinquency • immigration • social identity

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?