Adolescent development of migrant youth

Health care needs specific to adolescent-aged clients are a growing area of concern to health care providers. The majority of adolescents is not ill and thus their care does not require a disease focus. Instead, adolescent health concerns revolve around developmental issues such as independence, sexuality, future career plans, and the development of a value system. Using a qualitative research approach with a convenience sample, this investigator examined 8 Mexican migrant adolescents' perceptions of the developmental issues the literature suggests relevant to an adolescent-aged population. A content analysis of the data revealed domains of meaning surrounding each developmental issue. Three cultural themes were identified from the domains of meaning: (a) acculturation, (b) familism, and (c) aspirations.