Who Wants to Be in America? A Generalized Linear Mixed Model to Predict Satisfaction with Life in the United States among the Children of Immigrants
Harris, Brian D.; Olsen, Joe
Abstract
Stratification theory and various theories of immigrant integration suggest that it may be more important to measure integration outcomes among the children of immigrant than first-generation immigrants themselves. While many researchers use outcomes that can be measured directly such as income or educational attainment, more research is needed on the subjective interpretations of the children of immigrants. I use a multilevel generalized linear mixed model to predict satisfaction with the United States among the children of immigrants. Data come from the first two waves of the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (CILS). Parents' citizenship status, students' citizenship status, previous experiences with discrimination, the students' grade in school, and attitudes about Americans' sense of superiority are all significant predictors of satisfaction with living in the United States.