Ethnic Identity, Immigration, and Well-Being: An Interactional Perspective Jean S. Phinney* California State University, Los Angeles Gabriel Horenczyk Hebrew University of Jerusalem Karmela Liebkind University of Helsinki Paul Vedder University of Leiden On the basis of existing theory and research regarding ethnic identity and immi- gration and our own empirical work in four immigrant-receiving countries, we suggest an interactional model for understanding psychological outcomes for immigration. Specifically, the interrelationship of ethnic and national identity and their role in the psychological well-being of immigrants can best be understood as an interaction between the attitudes and characteristics of immigrants and the responses of the receiving society. This interaction is moderated by the particular circumstances of the immigrant group. The strengths of ethnic and national iden- tity vary depending on the support for ethnic maintenance and the pressure for assimilation. Most studies show that the combination of a strong ethnic identity and a strong national identity promotes the best adaptation. This article reviews current theory and research regarding ethnic identity and immigration and the implications of ethnic identity for the adaptation of immi- grants. The article focuses on the broad questions of how ethnic identity and *Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jean S. Phinney, Department of Psychology, California State University, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032-8227 [e-mail: jphinne@calstatela.edu]. 493 © 2001 The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Journal of Social Issues, Vol. 57, No. 3, 2001, pp. 493–510