ABSTRACT
This study examined immigration-related self-defining memories (SDMs) of first- and second-generation Balkan immigrants in Turkey. Thirty-three parent–adult child pairs participated, and each participant independently recalled two personal memories that defined them as a Balkan immigrant. Memories were analyzed in terms of self-report memory characteristics and coded for narrative qualities. Results revealed that the second-generation immigrants reported more positive, integrative, generic, and identity-oriented narratives compared to the first generation (parents). Correlations between memory characteristics (centrality, phenomenology) and self-related measures (homeland attachment, homeland identity, immigrant identity) were found only among second-generation immigrants, indicating a stronger self–memory relationship in this group. Overall, the findings suggest that SDMs of the first-generation immigrants primarily reflect the difficulties of the migration process and show weaker explicit links to self-related measures, whereas the second-generation immigrants construct more integrative narratives that reflect an inherited immigrant identity. The findings are discussed in light of both statistical and narrative analyses.