Victoria University: Muslim youth doing well in NZ

Despite an increase in reports of discrimination towards Muslims, a researcher at Victoria University says Muslims are doing comparatively well in this country.

The research project, conducted by final year PhD student Jaimee Stuart from Victoria’s Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, compared the experience of Muslim young people in NZ and the UK.

The study examined well-being, psychological symptoms, behavioural problems, discrimination and immigration stress in about 300 Muslim youth (aged 16-27 years) in both countries.

Ms Stuart says that the findings revealed that Muslim youth in this country demonstrate more positive outcomes on almost all indicators.

“Importantly, Muslims in NZ experience lower levels of discrimination and immigration stress, even though they have stronger religious identities and practice their religion more than those in the UK.”

The study also found that perceptions of living in an inclusive, multicultural society were higher for Muslims in NZ and that this was related to better outcomes.

“This may be an important indicator that social cohesion has direct and positive impacts on the adjustment of immigrants in New Zealand,” says Ms Stuart.