Cultural marginality: a concept analysis with implications for immigrant adolescents

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Sociology
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• US society is increasingly culturally diverse, with over 25 million foreign-born residents by 1996.
• A significant gap exists in mutual understanding between healthcare providers and immigrant populations, especially children and adolescents.
• This lack of understanding hinders research and effective healthcare practices for immigrant youth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concept of cultural marginality in the context of immigrant adolescents.
• To facilitate nurses' understanding of the unique experiences of immigrant adolescents.
• To provide a framework for nursing research and practice concerning this population.

Main Methods:

• Concept analysis using Walker and Avant's (1995) framework.
• Identification of attributes, antecedents, and consequences of cultural marginality.
• Development of a conceptual model illustrating relationships and future research areas.

Main Results:

• Cultural marginality is defined as a state of passive "betweenness" experienced by individuals belonging to two cultures.
• The analysis identified key attributes, antecedents, and consequences of cultural marginality in immigrant adolescents.
• A conceptual model was synthesized to visually represent the concept and its implications.

Conclusions:

• Concept analysis is vital for advancing nursing knowledge.
• Clarifying cultural marginality provides essential guidance for nursing interventions and research with immigrant adolescents.
• Improved understanding of cultural marginality can enhance healthcare delivery to diverse adolescent populations.