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PubMedDate not supplied

Self-reported integration as a proxy for acculturation: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: It is essential to account for acculturation in any research conducted in multicultural populations. Both unidimensional and bidimensional approaches are used to measure the extent of acculturation; however, neither one of them is optimal. OBJECTIVE: To explore the immigrants' rating of the extent of their acculturation (self-reported integration) in contrast to an external (researchers') measurement. METHODS: Fifteen in-depth interviews with strategically sampled Russian-speaking men and women aged 25-70 years, with varying marital and employment status and living permanently in Stockholm, Sweden, were analyzed using a content analysis technique. The results were validated by means of a series of additional mini-interviews by telephone. RESULTS: The immigrants' self-reported integration corresponded with the researchers' bidimensional measurement of the extent of acculturation of these immigrants. Self-reported integration accounted for the mastering of the formal criteria of integration, resolving of grief concerning the homeland, and fulfilling the internal criteria of integration. DISCUSSION: Self-reported integration may be used as a proxy for acculturation but its application should be tested primarily in other settings and in a quantitative analysis.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2005

Acculturation and eating disorders in Asian and Caucasian Australian adolescent girls.

The present study aimed to compare the attitudes and psychopathology of eating disorders between Asian and Caucasian adolescent girls; and investigate the relationship between acculturation and the attitudes and psychopathology of eating disorders in subgroups of Asian girls. Two groups of non-clinical adolescent girls in Perth, Western Australia, were compared using a survey method. There were 17 Asian and 25 Caucasian adolescent girls, aged 14-17 drawn from private high schools in Perth who were screened using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2), and an acculturation index. The psychopathology scores for eating disorders of the Asian group were significantly higher than that of the Caucasian group in terms of total EDI-2 score, Interpersonal Distrust, Maturity Fears, Impulse Regulation and Social Insecurity subscales. Eating attitudes measured by Dieting subscale of the EAT-26 was significantly different. Within the Asian group, the less acculturated girls had higher scores on the EAT-26 and the EDI-2 than the more acculturated. Less acculturated Asian girls appeared to have unhealthier attitudes and psychopathology toward eating.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2005

Acculturation and Latino health in the United States: a review of the literature and its sociopolitical context.

This chapter provides an overview of the concept of acculturation and reviews existing evidence about the possible relationships between acculturation and selected health and behavioral outcomes among Latinos. The effect of acculturation on Latino health is complex and not well understood. In certain areas-substance abuse, dietary practices, and birth outcomes-there is evidence that acculturation has a negative effect and that it is associated with worse health outcomes, behaviors, or perceptions. In others-health care use and self-perceptions of health-the effect is mostly in the positive direction. Although the literature, to date, on acculturation lacks some breadth and methodological rigor, the public health significance of findings in areas in which there is enough evidence justifies public health action. We conclude with a set of general recommendations in two areas-public health practice and research-targeted to public health personnel in academia, community-based settings, and government agencies.

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PubMed2002

Service utilization among disabled Puerto Rican elders and their caregivers: does acculturation play a role?

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between language acculturation of disabled Puerto Rican elderly and their caregivers, their length of residence in mainland United States, and the utilization of formal services. METHODS: Language acculturation was measured by language use, understanding, and preferences. The sample of this study consisted of 194 dyads of disabled Puerto Rican elders 60 years and older, and their primary caregivers in an urban center in the northeast. RESULTS: Length of residence in the United States, but not language acculturation, of the disabled Puerto Rican elder and the caregiver was related to elder's use of formal services. Caregivers, whose own children were born in Puerto Rico as opposed to mainland United States, were more likely to use formal services. DISCUSSION: Language acculturation, although a commonly used measure of acculturation, may be of decreasing importance in explaining service utilization, as bilingual services become increasingly available. Practice implications are discussed.

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PubMed2005

Acculturation and mammography screening among Hispanic women living in farmworker communities.

The relationship between acculturation and mammography screening practices among Hispanic women is unclear due to inconsistent study findings. The purpose of this research was to further investigate the effect of acculturation on mammography screening practices among Hispanic women and to explore the effect of biculturalism on mammography screening. Hispanic female farmworkers (N = 716) who were 50 years of age and older living in communities in Texas, New Mexico, and California were interviewed at their homes. Data collection was conducted from November 2001 to February 2002. Logistic regression models showed no significant effect for acculturation for the entire sample. Post hoc stratified analysis found that bicultural study participants in California were 3 times more likely to be adherent to screening compared to those with low acculturation. Study findings suggest that distinct differences might exist for Hispanic women living in farmworker communities in California, and perhaps other communities not on the United States-Mexico border. Women in such communities with low levels of acculturation can be targeted for interventions to increase mammography adherence.

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PubMed2006

Acculturation, socioeconomic status, obesity and lifestyle factors among low-income Puerto Rican women in Connecticut, U.S., 1998-1999.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations of socioeconomic status and acculturation with obesity and lifestyle characteristics that may be risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease among low-income Puerto Rican women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1998 and 1999 by interviewing a convenience sample of 200 low-income Puerto Rican female caretakers of young children in Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America. Various recruitment methods were used to ensure adequate representation of the target community. The associations of obesity (body mass index > or = 30.0) and lifestyle factors (physical activity, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, food intake) with socioeconomic status (education, employment, car ownership), acculturation, age, and marital status were examined with Spearman rho, chi-squared, and Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Mean age was 29 years. Obesity (40%), physical inactivity (47%), and cigarette smoking (32%) were common. Less acculturated participants were 57% less likely to smoke and 54% less likely to be obese than their more acculturated counterparts. Lower socioeconomic status (not finishing high school or not owning a car) was associated with a higher likelihood of obesity, but unemployed (vs. employed) women were less likely to be obese (P < 0.05). Women who did not own a car consumed meat, eggs and fish less often than those who owned a car. Smokers were more likely to have an unhealthy food intake pattern than nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS: The associations of acculturation and socioeconomic status with some lifestyle characteristics suggest the need for culturally appropriate programs to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in this low-income community.

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PubMed2003

Lack of acculturation is a risk factor for diabetes in arab immigrants in the US.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between dysglycemia (impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetes) and acculturation, physical activity, and perceived stress in Arab immigrants in the U.S. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional population-based study, we examined 520 Arab Americans, aged 20-75 years, who were born in the Middle East and immigrated to southeastern Michigan. Dysglycemia was assessed by history and with a 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Acculturation, physical activity, and perceived stress were measured with standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: Associations were found between dysglycemia in men and older age at immigration, unemployment, speaking Arabic with friends, being less active in Arabic organizations, more frequent consumption of Arabic food, and less integration into American society. Dysglycemia in women was associated with being raised in rural areas of the Middle East, older age at immigration, longer length of stay in the U.S., not being employed outside the home, less than high school education, not attending Arabic or American schools, and not being able to read Arabic. Among men, older age at immigration, shorter length of stay in the U.S., less activity in Arab organizations, and eating Arabic food were associated with dysglycemia independent of age and BMI. Among women, acculturation was very low and was confounded with age and BMI as powerful risk factors for dysglycemia. No association was found between physical activity, perceived stress, and the risk of dysglycemia in either sex. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of acculturation is an important risk factor for dysglycemia in immigrant Arab Americans. Intervention programs aimed at diabetes prevention should consider the acculturation process.

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PubMed1996

Validation of an acculturation measure for Hispanic adolescents.

Based on the continuing growth and youthfulness of the Hispanic population in the United States, valid cultural measures are needed for Hispanic adolescents. Hispanics living in this country experience acculturation or cultural change during their exposure to American culture. A matched sample of 994 Hispanic students and their parents completed acculturation measures. Scores on a 10-item acculturation scale completed by the adolescents' parents correlated significantly .49 with a single-item rating, a measure of acculturation by adolescents. This finding supports construct validity for a measure of language use as an index of linguistic acculturation for Hispanic adolescents.

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PubMed2006

Acculturation and suicide attitudes: a study of perceptions about suicide among a sample of Ghanaian immigrants in the United States.

To investigate whether a relationship exists between acculturation and attitudes about suicide, 81 Ghanaian immigrants living in the U.S. who responded to a mail inquiry were selected to participate in the current study. This particular immigrant sample was chosen because although they represent a rapidly growing group in the U.S., they have been rarely studied. Respondents consisted of 42 women and 36 men (3 did not identify their sex), with a mean age of 29.5 yr. (SD = 10.6). Participants completed measures of acculturation and attitudes about suicide. Results indicated significant correlations between length of residency in the United States and negative suicide attitudes, and also between psychological acculturation and negative suicide attitudes. No significant relationship was found between behavioral acculturation and suicide attitudes. Furthermore, length of residency was a stronger predictor of suicide attitudes than other subjective measures of acculturation. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.

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PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of acculturation on attitudes toward alcohol and alcohol use within the Punjabi community: an exploratory analysis.

A number of authors have found that acculturation and alcohol use are significantly related. In general, as a person becomes more acculturated within a new country, levels of use of alcohol and alcohol-related problems tend to become more similar to the host cultures. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the level of acculturation, attitudes toward alcohol, and the use of alcohol within the Punjabi community of Metropolitan Toronto, while taking a number of demographic variables into account. We found that increased levels of acculturation were associated with increased lifetime use of alcohol and more liberal attitudes toward the use of alcohol. In addition, those who had lower levels of acculturation were experiencing relatively more alcohol use-related problems. Finally, gender was also an important factor in predicting attitudes and behavior associated with alcohol, with women more likely to be abstainers and negative toward the use of alcohol.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1999

Gender, acculturation, and alcohol consumption among Mexican Americans.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the relationship between level of acculturation and drinking status among Mexican American males and females in three northern California cities. METHOD: The data analyzed were collected through the use of a telephone survey. The sample size is 932. RESULTS: Our results show that acculturation has a direct effect on drinking status for women in the sample but not for men. At low levels of acculturation, our results show the expected difference in drinking status by gender; with high abstention rates for women and low abstention rates for males. At high levels of acculturation there is a convergence in drinking status with females approximating the proportion of male drinkers in the sample. Additionally, acculturation was associated with "heavier" drinking for females while place of birth was associated with "heavier" drinking for males. CONCLUSIONS: Studies of drinking patterns and related problems need to consider these factors.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Acculturation status and sexuality among female Cuban American college students.

The authors examined relations among different measures of acculturation, and between acculturation and sexual behavior, in a sample of female Cuban American college students (n=61, M age = 18.4 years) who completed self-report surveys. In the first set of analyses, weak to moderate associations emerged among 4 measures of acculturation (birthplace, childhood language use, current language use, and ethnic identity), suggesting that inconsistent findings from prior research may have resulted from measurement limitations. In multivariate analyses, the authors examined predictors of sexual behavior and found that 1 aspect of acculturation (higher levels of ethnic identity) and background characteristics (being older and less religious) were associated with voluntary sexual intercourse. Moreover, higher levels on a sexual risk composite were associated with being born in the United States, more ethnically identified, older, and less religious. These analyses highlight the need for specificity in assessing acculturation in a college student population and support the need to examine cultural factors directly in sexuality research.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2005

Acculturation and contact in Japanese students studying in the United Kingdom.

Acculturation theory has been the dominant model that investigators use in examining the effects of transmigration. This theory indicates the problematic effects of intercultural contact in terms of adjustment and stress. One criticism of this theory, however, is its lack of integration with the more generic contact literature. This literature suggests that intergroup contact can have positive effects on intergroup relations. The authors presented a longitudinal study of 35 Japanese nationals living in the United Kingdom over a period of 12 months. The present results suggested that both conventional acculturation variables (e.g., language ability and perceived cultural distance) and intergroup variables (e.g., in-group bias and intergroup anxiety) were associated with acculturative stress and psychosomatic illness over time. Higher intergroup anxiety was associated with increased acculturative stress, whereas higher in-group bias was associated with reduced psychosomatic illness. The present results indicated the possibility that these variables add an important dimension to the acculturation literature.

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PubMedDate not supplied

The association between acculturation and health practices among middle-aged and elderly Latinas.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between acculturation and five health practices, including cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, obesity, and sleeping habits. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 573 Latinas, aged 46 to 92 years. Participants were recruited from 17 publicly subsidized housing projects in Los Angeles, Calif. Health practices information was obtained through an interview. RESULTS: Regression analyses showed an interaction between age and acculturation: the effects of acculturation on health practices were stronger among Latinas aged 64 years and under than among their 65 to 74 year-old counterparts. Level of acculturation did not affect the likelihood of engaging in healthy practices for elderly women (aged 75 and over). CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that acculturation negatively affects the health practices of middle-aged Latinas, who are at a particularly critical age during which chronic diseases emerge. Intervention programs are needed to encourage adoption of healthy practices, particularly exercise and weight control, at an earlier stage in life.

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PubMed2001

Acculturation and breast-feeding intention and practice in Hispanic women on the US-Mexico border.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the extent to which acculturation indicators predict both breast-feeding history and intentions among Mexican-American mothers having their first births, and among those having subsequent births. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey in a hospital post-partum unit. METHODS: 3,036 Hispanic women were interviewed post-partum in their hospital room. A survey was administered in English or Spanish, and included questions about prenatal care, diet, work exposures, contraceptive use, and breast-feeding history and intentions. For the purposes of this study, acculturation was measured using a series of indicators including language spoken at home, language ability, country of birth, and country in which last schooling was received. RESULTS: Previous breast-feeding was significantly associated with educational attainment, speaking both English and Spanish at home, having had prenatal care during the previous pregnancy, and with both country variables (country of birth and country where finished school). Women with less education, women who were single, and women who did not receive any prenatal care were less likely to intend to breast-feed than were women with a college education, women with a partner, and women who received any prenatal care. Women born in Mexico (for multiparous women), or having finished school in Mexico (for primiparous women), were more likely to intend to breast-feed. CONCLUSIONS: Acculturation is associated with breast-feeding history and intention to breast-feed. Acculturation is a complex construct and traditional measures of acculturation based on language preference may not be as useful on the US-Mexico border. It is recommended that further study be conducted to determine what factors prevent women from breast-feeding, even though they intend to do so, especially in multi-cultural communities like those around the US-Mexico border.

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PubMed2003

[Mental disorders among Japanese-Brazilians in Japan: relationships to pre-migration and acculturative factors].

The current population of Japanese-Brazilians living in Japan consists mainly of second- and third-generation Japanese immigrants to Brazil. In the last 10 years, they have migrated to Japan, their ancestral country, mostly as industrial workers. The objective of this study was to examine possible relationships between mental disorders and both pre-migration psychosocial factors and acculturative status, among Japanese-Brazilians in Japan. We developed our own Portuguese acculturation-questionnaire to assess the their adaptation to Japanese society and their ethnic-cultural identity. Using the acculturation-questionnaire, the Portuguese version of the self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20) and an identification form with socio-demographic and clinical data, a community sample of 131 Japanese-Brazilian immigrants in Utsunomiya and outpatient sample of 32 Japanese-Brazilians in the psychiatric department of a medical school in the same region were compared. Analysis was done by chi 2 Fisher and multiple logistic regression. The socio-demographic data indicated that the outpatients were most likely to have past medical history (OR = 12.3), traumatic experience (OR = 10.1) in Brazil before immigration, short duration of residence in Japan (OR = 3.76), no occupation in Brazil (OR = 4.78) and to be living alone in Japan (OR = 5.71). The findings from the acculturation-questionnaire showed that outpatients were most likely to have sociability in Japan with either Brazilians or Japanese only (OR = 3.94) and to hope to hand down either Brazilian or Japanese culture only to their posterity (OR = 5.31). The findings from the acculturation-questionnaire showed that the community sample showed a higher acceptance of both the Brazilian and Japanese culture than the patient sample. We suggested that mentally healthy individuals have a stronger integration orientation as an adaptation modes i.e. to keep the original ethnic-cultural identity on one hand, and to accept the cultural values, attitudes, norms and customs of the host society on the other, than individuals predisposed to- or with mental disorders among Japanese Brazilians in Japan.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1994

Acculturation and alienation of Soviet Jewish refugees in the United States.

We examined the relationship of identity and behavioral acculturation to alienation among 49 Soviet Jewish refugees in the United States in 1987. For all the subjects, acculturation was best described as a unilevel rather than a bilevel or multilevel process, because a negative relationship was found between acculturation and the American and Russian cultures. For women, finding an American identity was related to length of residence, whereas holding on to a Russian identity as well as behavioral acculturation predicted alienation. For men, however, a multicultural process appeared to exist with respect to behavioral acculturation, although holding on to a Russian identity was positively related to alienation. Thus, men were able to continue to participate in Russian-oriented activities without feeling alienated, and this participation appeared to increase with length of residence in the United States.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1996

Acculturative stress among Amerasian refugees: gender and racial differences.

Adjustment and resettlement of refugees from one culture to another is often a challenging and sometimes difficult process. Since Congress passed the Amerasian Homecoming Act in 1987, there has been a substantial increase in the number of immigrants born of American servicemen and Vietnamese women during the Vietnam War. Several thousand Amerasians and their families left Vietnam and Cambodia for resettlement, and there are currently over thirty cluster sites of voluntary organizations used for placement and resettlement. One area is Springfield, Massachusetts, where our study is based. This research explored the mental health, adjustment, and issues of acculturation among refugees of this subgroup as they attempted to adapt to the American culture. A refugee acculturative stress inventory modified to fit this group was utilized, and Pearson correlation and t-test were employed for statistical analysis. Major findings indicate that most newly arrived Amerasians experience acculturative stress primarily in areas of spoken English, employment, and limited formal education. Gender and race had no impact on acculturative stress. Findings did not support the literature on refugees which indicates that males are more at risk than females regarding acculturative stress. There was a significant correlation between effective spoken English and employment on the level of stress. Implications for social work practice and future research are suggested.

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