Although there is strong evidence that integration (identification with both heritage culture and the wider national culture) is associated with positive psychological and socio-cultural outcomes for immigrants and ethnic minorities, there is little research that addresses the issue of HOW integration is achieved.

In this presentation, I introduce the concept of cultural identity styles, strategies that individuals use for decision-making about identity-relevant issues, and propose that blending and alternating are two strategies that acculturating individuals activate to manage multiple cultural identities.

The construction and validation of the Multicultural Identity Styles Scale are briefly described along with our mediational model of cultural identity negotiation, linking the motivation to integrate with psychological well-being via cultural identity styles and cultural identity outcomes.

Drawing on diverse samples from New Zealand, Mauritius and Israel, the results of our research show that HOW acculturating individuals combine multiple cultural identities differentially predicts psychological adaptation in immigrant and minority groups.