Article

Psychosocial Predictors of Acculturative Stress in Mexican Immigrants

The Journal of Psychology

October 2000
134(5):490-502

DOI:10.1080/00223980009598231

Source
PubMed

Authors:

Joseph D Hovey

University of Texas - Pan American

Psychosocial predictors of acculturative stress were examined in a sample of adult Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles. Bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed that family dysfunction, geographical separation from family, nonpositive expectations for the future, and low income levels were significantly related to elevated levels of acculturative stress. The findings suggest that family closeness, hopefulness for the future, and financial resources may provide a buffer against acculturative stressors experienced by migrating individuals. The findings highlight the importance of using culturally relevant clinical methods when assessing and treating immigrants and acculturating individuals.

Social-ecological correlates of acculturative stress among Latina/o and Black Caribbean immigrants in the United States: A scoping review

Article

Oct 2020
INT J INTERCULT REL

Acculturative stress is associated with poor mental health outcomes; however, few studies have examined this type of stress within immigrants’ broader social-ecological context. Furthermore, it remains unclear which stressors are unique to first-generation immigrants, who are at a higher risk of experiencing acculturative stress during intercultural contact. Informed by the social-ecological framework, this scoping review examines the unique and integrative correlates of acculturative stress among first-generation Latina/o and Black Caribbean immigrants, and articulates social-ecologically based recommendations. Forty articles published in peer-reviewed journals between 2000 and 2019 were examined. Correlates of acculturative stress were organized across five levels of influence: individual, interpersonal, institutional, community, and policy. Language barriers, personal experiences in the U.S., socioeconomic status, religion, coping strategies, ethnic beliefs and values, social support, family dynamics, fears related to status, neighborhood characteristics, and discrimination were significant correlates of acculturative stress. Existing research assessing social-ecological correlates of acculturative stress addressed primarily individual and interpersonal level factors, limiting the explanatory power of this review in identifying how root causes of acculturative stress intersect and ultimately influence mental health. Overreliance on a small amount of national or large data sets, lack of variation in research design, and limited research among Afro-Latina/o and Black Caribbean immigrants all contribute to the restricted boundaries of this area of study. Unlike many factors that influence immigrant mental health, acculturative stress is potentially modifiable through social-ecological levels of intervention; thus, we offer recommendations that could be implemented to facilitate psychological adjustments and reduce risk for mental illness.

Psychometric Properties of the SAFE-D: A Measure of Acculturative Stress Among Deaf Undergraduate Students

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2020

Purpose/objective: Members of minority groups may face stress as they navigate between their native culture and the dominant culture. No measure exists for evaluating acculturative stress among deaf individuals in the United States. The current study examined the psychometric properties of a modified version of the 24-item Social Attitudinal Familial and Environmental Acculturative Stress Scale (SAFE; Mena, Padilla, & Maldonado, 1987) for use with deaf undergraduate students (SAFE-D). Research Method/Design: 145 (88 females and 57 males), deaf, undergraduate students (Median age = 20.0; SD age = 4.9) from a bilingual, multicultural university were included in the study. Seventy-four percent were White, 10.4% Hispanic/Latino, 9.7% Black/African American, 0.7% Asian, and 9% multiracial. The SAFE-D included 23 items. Ten items were modified, 2 items were deleted, and 1 item was added. Results: The SAFE-D demonstrated high internal reliability (α = .931). Four factors were identified: Perceived Societal Barriers, Social Difficulties, Family Marginalization, and Discrimination. Evidence for construct validity was demonstrated through the association of SAFE-D scores with Deaf and Hearing acculturation. Conclusions/implications: Levels of acculturative stress in the current sample were close to those reported among late immigrant and English as a Second Language undergraduate students. The 4 factors did not match those of the original SAFE scale but reflected a bidirectional model of acculturative stress unique to deaf individuals. These findings suggest that acculturative stress is a serious concern among deaf undergraduate students and that the SAFE-D can be used to assess deaf acculturative stress in this population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Social isolation, acculturative stress and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among Korean immigrant women

Article

Aug 2019
INT J INTERCULT REL

Chunrye Kim

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious health and social problem among Korean immigrant population. To identify risk factors that might be related to their initial IPV victimization as well as their continuous victimization by their partners, this study examined the relationship between social isolation, acculturative stress and IPV victimization among Korean immigrant women. Using the case-control design, 127 participants (64 IPV victims and 63 non-victims) were recruited for this study. The findings of this study revealed that acculturative stress and a lack of social support (i.e., social isolation) among Korean immigrant women are independently associated with IPV victimization. However, social support did not have a stress-buffering role for IPV. Also, acculturative stress partially mediates the effect of social isolation (lack of social support) on IPV. Based on this study’s findings, we then discuss policy implications to prevent further victimization focusing on social network and acculturative stress.

Estructura, correlatos y predictores del estrés por Aculturación. El caso de personas refugiadas colombianas en Costa Rica

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2010

Cien personas refugiadas colombianas completaron un cuestionario que medía el estrés experimentado durante el proceso de adaptación a la sociedad costarricense, las redes de apoyo construidas en Costa Rica, la frecuencia con que se han visto discriminadas y su nivel de salud mental. Los datos muestran que el estrés por aculturación se estructura en cuatro dimensiones: el estrés experimentado por los preparativos para la salida, el estrés derivado de su condición de refugiados, el estrés experimentado ante las necesidades económicas y el estrés vivido ante los retos de la adaptación cultural a la sociedad costarricense. Los preparativos para la salida del país son los eventos de mayor estrés reportado. La discriminación percibida y los años de residencia en Costa Rica aparecieron como los principales predictores de los tipos de estrés post-inmigración, una vez controlados los efectos de la salud y las redes de apoyo.

Miles over mind: Transnational death and its association with psychological distress among undocumented Mexican immigrants

Article

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Mar 2019

Objective: This study examined the association between transnational death and psychological distress among undocumented Mexican immigrants. The Minority Stress Model and a disenfranchised grief perspective were used as frameworks for this study. Method: Respondent driven sampling (RDS) was used to collect data from clinical interviews with 248 undocumented Mexican immigrants residing near the US–Mexico border. Results: After controlling for relevant covariates, experiencing transnational death was a significant predictor of clinically significant distress in this at-risk population. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the need to contextualize transnational death among undocumented immigrants from a perspective of disenfranchised grief that requires the development of contextually and culturally sensitive interventions aimed at addressing the high prevalence of transnational death and its associated distress in this marginalized population.

Syrian Refugees and their re entry to normality the role of service industries

Article

Oct 2017

The paper analyzes data derived from an exploratory study based on interviews with 26 Syrian Refugees, indicating how they used past experiences and qualifications to obtain employment in the UK and Germany. The paper also describes in outline a chronology of escape, reaching Europe, traveling through Europe, and finally accessing a new 'normality' through obtaining employment in the service industries or continuing past study. Their stories are used to further theoretical components of resilience and associated concepts of adaptability and overcoming vulnerability. Reference is made to the structure of resilience and the role of social networks made more accessible via the use of smartphones and social media. 摘要本文分析了基于26名叙利亚难民访谈所得的探索性研究数据，揭示他们如何借助过往经验和资历在英国和德国获得工作。同时，本文概述了受访者的逃生时序，追踪了他们从抵达欧洲、穿越欧洲并最终通过在服务行业就业或继续以往的学习而获得一种新'常态'的过程。他们的故事进一步阐释了恢复力理论以及与适应性和克服脆弱性相关的概念。本文为理解恢复力结构提供了参考，并发现通过使用智能手机和社交媒体使社会网络更具可达性。 ARTICLE HISTORY

The Effects of Job Instability and Financial Strain on C-Reactive Protein in a Sample of Mexican Immigrants

Article

Jan 2016

p> Objective: Mexican immigrants have lower cardiovascular disease risk than US citizens, but risk increases with level of acculturation. Our study investigated whether job stress and financial strain would be related to inflammation (C-reactive protein), lipids, and blood pressure, and if they would play a role in the acculturation process in Mexican immigrants. Method: A sample of 310 Mexican immigrants living in the United States were studied on measures of job stress, financial strain, acculturation, and cardiovascular disease risk factors (C-reactive protein, lipids, and blood pressure). Results: Job instability, financial strain, and acculturation, were related to inflammation, but psychological demands and decision latitude were not related. Lipids and clinic blood pressure were not related to the variables of interest. Body mass index was related to both increased acculturation and inflammation, and when controlling for BMI, acculturation was no longer a significant predictor of inflammation. Job instability and financial strain remained significant predictors of inflammation after controlling for BMI, gender, and age. Job instability and financial strain were not related to acculturation, suggesting that these factors are significant stressors for both newly arrived and more established immigrants. Conclusions: Job instability and financial strain predict increased inflammation in Mexican immigrants but they do not play a role in the relationship between acculturation and C-reactive protein. The effects of acculturation on inflammation in this study were mediated by BMI. Ethn Dis. 2016;26(1):37-44; doi: 10.18865/ed.26.1.37</p

Structure, correlates and predictors of acculturation stress. A case study with Colombian refugees in Costa Rica

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2011

One hundred colombian refugees completed a questionnaire measuring the level of stress they have experienced during the process of adaptation to the Costa Rican society; the social networks they have built in Costa Rica; the frequency with which they have been discriminated against; and their mental health. Data show four dimensions for acculturative stress: the stress produced by the arrangements to leave Colombia; the stress derived from their status as refugees; the stress derived from their socioeconomic needs; and the stress resulting from coping with the demands of the social and cultural adaptation to the host society. Participants reported significant higher levels of stress when planning the emigration from Colombia. Perceived discrimination and years of residence in Costa Rica were the principal predictors of acculturative stress in Costa Rica, above and below of the effect of other potential predictors, as social networks and mental health.

Acculturative Stress of International Students

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2007

The migration of students from one country to another for educational purposes is a phenomenon which has a long history. There are over a million students and scholars attending institutions of higher learning abroad mostly in the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia who are experiencing the process of adaptation as foreign cultural groups. All foreign students are engaged in the process of acculturation meaning that the process of changes in the individual's behaviors, values, attitudes, and identity arises as a result of the interaction between the individual and the person and environment of the host country. International students are encountered with various stressful situations during their sojourn. Although approaches to the acculturation process vary, acculturation is a stressful process and generally most of the individuals with cross-cultural contact pass through this process with various levels of severity based on many personal and situational variables. Thus, the intent of the study was to examine which factors contribute to international students' acculturation process. In this study, the original version of Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and The SAFE Acculturation Stress Scale (Social, Attitudinal, Familiar and Environmental) are self-report instrument that were used to measure acculturative stress and self-esteem level of international students. Respondents were 116 (80male, 36 female) volunteer international students attending different undergraduate programs of Middle East Technical University (METU), in Turkey. The mean age of the participants was 20.6 years ranging from 17 to 28 (SD= 1.96). Initial findings of the study showed that international students have low level of self-esteem. In addition, results revealed that international students experience high level of acculturation stress. Data is still being analyzed. The findings will be compared and contrasted with the findings of the similar studies and discussed in terms of cultural issues. © Common Ground, Asl? Bugay, Ay?enur Büyü kgöze Kavas, Ayhan Demir, All Rights Reserved.

Salir adelante (perseverance): Lessons from the Mexican immigrant experience

Article

Nov 2014
J Soc Work

Although migration and immigrant issues have been well studied in sociology, economics, and demography there is significantly less information specific to Latino immigrants within the field of social work. This is of particular concern as the population of Latino immigrants and their children continues to grow and access areas of social work practice and policy development. This research study focuses on understanding the experience of first-generation immigrants of Mexican origin living in Denver, Colorado, through the use of qualitative research methods. Seven Mexican immigrants living in Denver described their experience through an in-depth interview process. Grounded theory was the chosen method for analysis. Findings Four themes emerged during the data analysis process: (1) ‘We are working people’; (2) ‘I am not an animal’ (experiencing racism, prejudice and discrimination); (3) fear; and (4) internal strength. Together these themes create a conceptual framework that is useful as a starting place to understand the lives and culture of Mexican immigrants. This conceptual framework highlights how immigrants negotiate racism, prejudice, discrimination, and fear through their strong work ethic and the belief in their ability to ‘ salir adelante’ (to persevere or better oneself or one’s family situation). Applications Results indicate that Mexican immigrants are faced with numerous challenges, particularly due to racist laws, discriminatory procedures, and acts of prejudice. However, results also suggest that Mexican immigrants and their cultural resources provide a source of hope, allowing them to persevere even as they face challenges. The findings have several implications for direct service, advocacy and social justice, and social work education.

Changes in Family Cohesion and Acculturative Stress among Recent Latino Immigrants

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2015

Family relationships can serve as an important source of support during the acculturation process; yet, how the stress related to acculturation, or acculturative stress, may impact family functioning across time is not clear. Participants (N = 479) between the ages of 18 and 34 were recruited using respondent-driven sampling methodology. Findings suggest family cohesion decreased over time; however, it decreased less for those reporting more acculturative stress. The implication is that for those Latino immigrants who struggle to adapt to their new host culture, family remains a source of support more so than for those who do not struggle as much.

“There is No Time” to be a Good Biocitizen: Lived Experiences of Stress and Physical Activity Among Mexican Immigrants in New York City

Article

Full-text available

May 2024

Plain Language Summary Stress is a common reaction we all experience in our daily lives, both physically and emotionally. However, when stress persists, it can have negative effects on our health. To better understand the experiences of Mexican immigrants living in NYC, we conducted individual interviews with 25 participants. We explored their thoughts on stress, physical activity, and life in NYC, as well as how the people around them influenced their efforts. The narratives shared by the participants revealed that Mexican immigrants perceive stress as having a significant impact on their physical and mental well-being. Specifically, discussions about stress affecting their health were linked to factors such as time constraints, long working hours, and not having enough time to exercise. These findings indicate that although participants desired a healthy lifestyle, they encountered barriers that hindered their ability to engage in physical activity. Additionally, our study highlighted that men and women experience stress differently. Women often felt stressed due to household responsibilities like cooking, whereas men experienced stress related to financial obligations. Despite these gender differences, both men and women described how stress negatively affected their overall health. These findings suggest that public health interventions and programs could focus on promoting physical activity to enhance the physical and mental well-being, but these would need to be tailored to fit the needs of Mexican immigrants in New York City and other similar communities.

Navigating Deaf and Hearing Cultures: An Exploration of Deaf Acculturative Stress

Article

Jun 2021

While there are many benefits of bilingualism and biculturalism, it is increasingly recognized that individuals may also experience acculturative stress as they navigate between different cultural environments. Acculturative stress results from struggles to acculturate, including pressures from the dominant culture and one’s heritage culture to maintain specific languages, values, and customs. This study sought to explore experiences of acculturative stress among Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) adults. Thirteen ethnically and racially diverse DHH adults, aged 21–52, participated in semi-structured focus groups. Krueger’s (1994) framework analysis was used to analyze the data. Participants reported pressures from the Hearing community as Hearing, Speaking, and English Pressures; Hearing Cultural Expectations; and Family Marginalization. Pressures from the Deaf community included ASL Pressures; Deaf Cultural Expectations; and Small Community Dynamics. Participants also discussed unique stressors related to their intersecting cultural identities (Intersectionality). The psychosocial impacts of acculturative stress included anger, anxiety, depression, exhaustion, resentment, and trauma. Coping resources were also discussed. Results highlight the saliency of acculturative stress among DHH adults and the need for continued investigations of the construct, particularly as it relates to mental health.

Maternal Depression and Acculturative Stress Impacts on Mexican-origin Children through Authoritarian Parenting

Article

May 2019
J APPL DEV PSYCHOL

Depression and acculturative stress are common among Latina mothers, yet little is known about how these variables are related to parenting practices and in turn, to the mental health functioning of their young children. The present study used a sample of Mexican-origin mothers of 3- to 6-year-old children (N = 175) to test a model of maternal depression and acculturative stress as predictors of child internalizing and externalizing problems, mediated by authoritarian and authoritative parenting practices. Results showed that maternal depressive symptoms and acculturative stress were associated with child internalizing, but not externalizing, problems. Only authoritarian practices mediated these associations. Results highlight the importance of considering sociocultural context in the study of child mental health in Mexican-origin populations.

Depression Among Mexican-Origin Mothers: Exploring the Immigrant Paradox

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2018

Objectives: Residential time in the United States appears to be a risk factor for mental health problems among Latinos, according to studies of the immigrant paradox, or a pattern of findings documenting better health for immigrants relative to U.S.-born Latinos. The present study used an acculturative stress model to examine the immigrant paradox with a sample of Mexican-origin mothers. Method: Mothers [N = 175; age = 33.52 (10.75)], who were foreign- or U.S.-born, were categorized as more acculturated or less acculturated based on cluster analyses using demographic and language proficiency variables. The association between acculturative status and depressive symptoms approximately 9 months later was tested with two models: with both cultural stressors (i.e., perceived discrimination, acculturative stress) and cultural assets (i.e., familismo, ethnic identity) as mediators, and with the effects of cultural stressors moderated by cultural assets. Results: Data provide some support for the validity of the mediation model. Less acculturated mothers reported (a) a stronger ethnic identity, which appears to have protected them from later depression, and (b) stronger familismo, which increased risk for later depression. In addition, discrimination was negatively related to later depression. Conclusions: We found support for the mediating role of cultural assets in the link between acculturation and depression, but some associations were in unexpected directions. These findings highlight the complexities of preserving core cultural characteristics among Mexican-origin mothers living in the United States, and the need to consider the context in which cultural processes unfold.

Culture and Deaf Women's Body Image

Article

Sep 2018
J DEAF STUD DEAF EDU

The sociocultural model of eating disorders highlights the role of internalization of the thin ideal in the development of negative body image and disordered eating. Considering the limited diversity of models in mainstream media, individuals belonging to minoritized cultural groups may resist identifying with and internalizing mainstream beauty messages. The extent of internalization may also depend on an individual's acculturation status and experiences of acculturative stress. This study applied the sociocultural model to culturally Deaf women. Data were collected from 96 deaf, female, undergraduate students. Results support the sociocultural model; higher rates of internalization were associated with negative body image and disordered eating behaviors. However, neither Deaf nor Hearing acculturation predicted internalization. Despite this finding, stronger acculturation with either Deaf or Hearing culture predicted more positive body image, and higher rates of acculturative stress predicted negative body image and disordered eating behaviors. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Family Functioning, Resilience, and Depression among North Korean refugees

Article

Aug 2016

Acculturative Stress, Mental Health, and Well-Being among Deaf Adults

Article

Jun 2023
J DEAF STUD DEAF EDU

Acculturative stress is associated with negative mental health among culturally diverse individuals. Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) individuals experience acculturative stress as they navigate within and between the Hearing and Deaf communities, yet, research has not examined the relationship between deaf acculturative stress and psychological functioning. This study examined the relationships between deaf acculturative stress, well-being, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. One hundred and ten DHH adults (71.6% female, 82.7% White, median age = 30-39) completed an online survey including the Multidimensional Inventory of Deaf Acculturative Stress (MIDAS), demographic questions, and measures of psychological functioning. After controlling for relevant sociodemographic factors, the MIDAS Stress from the Deaf and Hearing Community scales emerged as significant predictors of well-being and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Findings are discussed within the context of DHH sociocultural experiences, and suggestions for future research are offered to inform clinical work with DHH individuals.

Life satisfaction among skilled transnational families before and during the COVID‐19 outbreak

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Full-text available

Feb 2022

International mobility has radically changed during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Among all types of families, transnational families might have particularly suffered in 2020 during lockdowns that restricted international visits to family members. This paper focuses on the life satisfaction of skilled migrants living in Switzerland before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In particular, we focus on those who live long‐distance transnational relationships with other family members. We investigate the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on self‐reported life satisfaction using the Swiss Migration‐Mobility Survey (MMS). We apply panel analyses using random effects over three waves of the MMS. We found that the COVID‐19 crisis negatively affected recently arrived migrants' well‐being in Switzerland in 2020. However, migrants in transnational arrangements with children abroad show higher levels of life satisfaction in 2020, in comparison with migrant non‐transnational families. When interacted with gender, this improvement of life satisfaction concerns mostly men, while women in transnational partnerships report a significantly lower level of life satisfaction in 2020.

Can Sleep Facilitate Adaptation for Immigrant High Schoolers? Longitudinal Relations Between Sleep Duration, Acculturative Stress, and Acculturation

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2021
CHILD PSYCHIAT HUM D

Rising rates of youth migration are occurring globally and, thus, the adaptation of immigrant youth to their host country’s cultural norms is a pressing public health concern. Indeed, both acculturation and acculturative stress are associated with mental health for immigrant youth. The broad aim of this study was to examine how sleep duration would prospectively relate to acculturation (Short Acculturation Scale) and acculturative stress (Social, Attitudinal, Familial, and Environmental Acculturative Stress Scale) following migration for N = 110 immigrant high school students across 1 year. We hypothesized that acculturation would increase, and acculturative stress would decrease over the course of 1 year of data collection. We found evidence of both anticipated longitudinal changes, with significant slope parameters that were of opposite direction (i.e., acculturation positive, acculturative stress negative). Longer sleep duration at baseline was predictive of both greater increase in acculturation and greater decrease in acculturative stress over 1 year.

Factors Associated with Employment Hope among North Korean Defectors in South Korea

Article

Jan 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine various factors associated with employment hope among 702 North Korean defectors who newly entered the Settlement Support Center in South Korea. These defectors typical cross the border into China whose government does not grant them refugee status, considering them irregular economic migrants. Employment hope is a significant issue of concern as it has consistently been found to contribute to economic success for low‐income jobseekers in both South Korea and the United States. Four factors of the Employment Hope Scale (EHS) – psychological empowerment, futuristic self‐motivation, utilisation of skills and resources, and goal orientation – were used as dimensions of employment hope. Using a multivariate regression analysis, the results indicate that age, education, repatriation and time spent as irregular migrant significantly contributed to employment hope. We conclude that personal and escape‐related factors be considered contextually and deliberately in job training programs for newly arriving North Korean defectors.

Associations between maternal depressive symptoms and child internalizing problems

Article

Jul 2020

This longitudinal study examined the moderating roles of language use and gender in the relations between maternal depressive symptoms and child internalizing behaviour problems in 242 preschool children (48% girls) enrolled in Head Start centres. Teachers and parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1½-5. Mothers completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Results indicated the concurrent and longitudinal relationships between maternal depressive symptoms and child internalizing problems (as reported by mothers but not teachers) varied by language use, such that higher maternal depressive symptoms predicted internalizing problems for children who spoke Spanish as primary language, but not for English-speaking children. Gender did not play a role in the association between maternal depressive symptoms and internalizing problems. The importance of supporting Spanish-speaking children and families was discussed.

Social anxiety, lifestyle behavior and quality of life in disadvantaged migrant adolescents: A case-control study

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2021
CURR PSYCHOL

Migration causes various drawbacks. The study aimed to determine the social anxiety, lifestyle behavior and quality of life of disadvantaged migrant adolescents compared to non-migrant adolescents. The study involved case-control research conducted with 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students in the central district of a province in Turkey. The scales used in the study were accepted as dependent variables. The participants were expected to have the literacy level required to read and understand the questions. Descriptive, comparative and correlation screening analyses were made in the evaluation of the data (p < 0.05). Social anxiety levels of the disadvantaged migrant adolescents were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05), while perception of quality of life and health-promoting behaviors were lower in both groups, with no difference found between the groups (p < 0.05). Socio-demographic qualities and social support system perceptions of the disadvantaged migrant adolescents made a difference for all dependent variables (p < 0.05), but did not affect health histories (p < 0.05). There was a correlation between the scale total and sub-group dimension scores for all dependent variables (p < 0.05). The quality of life and health-promoting lifestyle behaviors of disadvantaged migrant adolescents must be developed and improved and their social anxiety levels lowered and it is the responsibility of educational institutions to monitor and control this process in a sustainable way.

A latent class analysis of acculturation and depressive symptoms among Latino immigrants: Examining the role of social support

Article

May 2020
INT J INTERCULT REL

Climate change, migration and health

Chapter

Nov 2019

The Effect of SFBGT on the Depression Level Among Indonesian Women Migrant Workers in Malaysia

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2018

So many surveys have demonstrated that there are high degrees of morbidity due to mental turmoil among immigrants, mainly depression and apprehension. Few of these studies unveil that migrant bond mentally depressed for the reason that they are tensed with jobs that was not at par with their educational status. From this context, the likelihood of those individuals with a higher education qualifications to end up doing deadly jobs are high, hence lower their self-respect. Those Women who involved in reformation and increasing role in international labor migration presently amount to 49.6 percent of all labor migrants worldwide. At this time, Malaysia has 2.9 million acknowledged and about 3 million unacknowledged workers with the majority of them from Indonesia 50.9%. On Asia continent, the largest class of female employment is domestic workers. Nevertheless, the domestic sector is regularly not protected by labor and industrial relations laws in the host countries, which makes this set of migrants labor particularly vulnerable to mistreatment hence the depression. Studies have shown that stressful experiences increase one’s susceptibility to diseases and mental health trouble. This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of the interventions using Solution-focused brief group therapy (SFBGT). BDI, the Beck depression inventory tool is employed to the quasi pre-test and post-test methodology to evaluate the depression level of Indonesian women migrant workers in Penang state of Malaysia. The novel significance is that this study will benefit the Indonesian government in policy preparation that can validate her citizens who are principally searching for greener pasture offshore.

Acculturative Stress Among Latina Young Adult Immigrants: The Mediating Role of Receiving Community Context

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2019

Little is empirically known about how acculturative stress soon after immigration is influenced by immigrants’ receiving neighborhood context. In the present study, we investigated mediating effects of receiving community context on associations between social and cultural factors and acculturative stress among Latina young adults during their initial months in the United States. The sample included Latina women aged 18–23 years old who immigrated to the United States approximately 11.5 months prior to assessment (n = 530). Data collected included measures of social and cultural factors (employment status, childhood socioeconomic status, education, time in the United States, acculturation, ethnic identity, and immigration status), perceptions of receiving community context (supportive acts of neighboring, neighborhood annoyance, neighborhood attachment, weak social ties, and more neighborhood stress), and acculturative stress. Path modeling tested study hypotheses. Participant reports of higher acculturative stress were directly associated with less neighborhood attachment, weak social ties, more neighborhood stress, more time in the United States, higher levels of ethnic society immersion, lower levels of dominant society immersion, higher levels of ethnic identity commitment, and lower levels of ethnic identity exploration. The positive relation between ethnic identity commitment and acculturative stress was mediated by more neighborhood stress. Weak social ties were another receiving community factor that mediated positive relations between more ethnic society immersion and acculturative stress. Psychological interventions targeting acculturative stress and future research should consider addressing receiving neighborhood context to potentially relieve stress soon after immigration among Latina young adult immigrants.

Anxiety Sensitivity and Acculturative Stress Facets Among Latinx in Primary Care

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2019

The present investigation examined associations between anxiety sensitivity and acculturative stress, both as a global construct and in relation to each of its facets. We hypothesized that anxiety sensitivity would significantly predict acculturative stress (and its facets), over and above the variance accounted for by gender, age, marital status, years of education, employment status, number of years living in United States, and negative affectivity. Participants (N = 142; M = 39.1 years, SD = 12.4; 96% reported Spanish as their first language) were recruited from a Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving the primary care needs of predominantly low-income Latinx. Participants completed an assessment battery that included a clinical interview and self-report instruments. Results showed that anxiety sensitivity explained 3–9% of the variance in acculturative stress dimensions after accounting for the effects of covariates. The findings underscore the value of examining proximal psychosocial variables which are often not the focus of studies on acculturation and acculturative stress. From an intervention standpoint, greater attention to proximal and malleable processes related to acculturative stress is warranted in efforts to reduce health disparities and increase wellbeing in this population.

Attachment, Acculturative Stress, Social Supports, Separation, and Marital Distress in Mexican and Central American Immigrants Separated from Primary Caregivers as Children

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2017

Isaac Carreon

Latinas/os are reported to be the fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States, with a large percentage being newly arrived immigrants. Previous research has found that many migrate in phases, with the father leaving the family behind or both parents migrating and leaving children in the care of family members. Separations from parental figures have been found to lead to psychosocial, psychological, and educational problems, acculturative stress, lack of social support, attachment problems, poverty, discrimination, unemployment, and marital distress. The purpose of this study was to inquire if immigrant variables (attachment, acculturative stress, and social supports) in Mexican and Central American immigrants who were separated from their primary caregivers as children predict marital distress. A total of 92 participants completed either the online questionnaire via Survey Monkey or paper surveys in person. A quantitative methodology, correlational multiple regression model was used in order to investigate the research questions and hypotheses. The theoretical framework that guided this study was John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory. The results from the current study showed a statistically significant finding that the attachment style and acculturative stress in Mexican and Central American immigrants predicted marital distress. Findings from this study can promote a deeper understanding to marriage counselors regarding attachment, social support, acculturative stress, and separation factors that can affect immigrant couples. It may also have implications for immigration policy and promote the establishment of reunification programs in communities where immigrant populations reside.

Assessment of acculturation in minority health research

Article

Jan 2017

Acculturation represents an important construct in the context of health disparities. Although several studies have reported relationships between various aspects of acculturation and health in minority populations, crucial inconsistencies remain. One likely reason for these inconsistencies may relate to limitations in the conceptualization and operationalization of acculturation, particularly in the context of health research. The acculturation construct underwent major conceptual and operational change when it was adapted from anthropology to psychology, and we argue another major shift is now required for use of this construct in health research. Issues include determining whether acculturation measures should focus on an individual's internal attitudes or overt behaviors; whether they should characterize cultural orientation status at a given point in time or change over time; whether measures should be culture-specific or more global in nature; how the issue of multiculturalism should be addressed; how measures can optimally incorporate multiple dimensions of acculturation; and whether proxy measures should be used. These issues are important in the context of health research because of their implications for determining the direct and indirect effects of cultural change on health-related biological and behavioral processes. We elaborate on and address each of these issues from a perspective that spans multiple disciplines across the biological and social sciences, and offer concrete recommendations with the ultimate goal of achieving a better understanding of the role of acculturation in minority health and health disparities.

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2016

Competent forensic psychologists constantly pursue the understanding of cultural differences. The purposes of this paper were to describe and explain the literature regarding the influences of the Hispanic culture on reports of pain-related symptoms and disabilities, and to illustrate ways in which culture-specific factors can impact a forensic psychological evaluation that includes malingering identification. The reviewed literature indicates that, as a group, Hispanics do not consistently differ from other ethnic groups on pain-related symptom reports. However, when examining culture-specific indicators, individuals from a Puerto Rican background and those with high acculturation to the American culture tend to report more pain and psychological distress than non-Hispanic Whites and other Hispanic subgroups. Additionally, language barriers and cultural-structured views of health and illness seem to hinder help-seeking options among the Mexican and less-acculturated Hispanics. Based on these results, we discuss a number of recommendations to make forensic psychological evaluations more sensitive to differences in acculturation and country of heritage. By taking these within-culture characteristics into consideration, the forensic psychologist can most accurately comprehend the meanings associated with the Hispanic client’s pain-related experience.

Newcomer Immigrant Adolescents: A Mixed-Methods Examination of Family Stressors and School Outcomes

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2016

Family stressors predict negative psychological outcomes for immigrant adolescents, yet little is known about how such stressors interact to predict school outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the interactive role of family stressors on school outcomes for newcomer adolescent immigrants. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, we used quantitative methods to explore interactions between family separation, acculturative family conflict, and family life events to predict 2 school outcomes, academic achievement (via grade point average [GPA]), and externalizing problems (student- and teacher-reported). The sample included 189 newcomer immigrant public high school students from 34 countries of origin. Quantitative measures included the Multicultural Events Scale for Adolescents, Family Conflicts Scale, and the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA). Qualitative data were collected through a semi-structured interview. Quantitative results found that more family life events were associated with lower GPA, but this association was weaker for participants who had been separated from their parents. More family conflict was associated with more externalizing symptoms (both youth- and teacher-reported). However, the association between family conflict and teacher-reported externalizing symptoms was found only among participants reporting a greater than average number of life events. Qualitative results show that separation from extended family networks was among the most stressful of experiences, and demonstrate the highly complex nature of each family stressor domain. At a time when immigration is rapidly changing our school system, a better understanding of early risk factors for new immigrants can help teachers, administrators, and mental health practitioners to identify students with greatest need to foster behavioral, academic, and emotional well-being.

The Hispanic health paradox: From epidemiological phenomenon to contribution opportunities for psychological science

Article

Apr 2016

Similar to non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos experience a range of psychosocial and physical health challenges, including high rates of poverty, neighborhood segregation, discrimination, poor healthcare access, and high rates of obesity, diabetes, and undiagnosed and late-stage diagnosed diseases. Despite such risks, Hispanics generally experience better physical health and lower mortality than non-Hispanic Whites, an epidemiological phenomenon commonly referred to as the Hispanic or Latino health paradox. With the basic phenomenon increasingly well-established, attention now turns to the sources of such resilience. The current aims are to briefly examine the epidemiological paradox and highlight potential sociocultural resilience factors that may contribute to the paradoxical effects. We conclude with presentation of a framework for modeling sociocultural resilience and discuss future directions for psychological contributions.

Do ataque de nervios and padecer de nervios function as culture-bound syndromes and markers of distress among Mexican immigrant mothers? A mixed method analysis.

Article

Jan 2010

Carmela Alc??ntara

Ataque de nervios (ATQ) and padecer de nervios (PNRV) are considered culture-bound syndromes with overlapping symptoms of anxiety, depression, and dissociation that are popularly endorsed among Latina/os from Latin America and the Caribbean. ATQs are acute experiences involving both typical and atypical panic symptoms, whereas PNRV appears to be a diffuse descriptor of nonspecific distress. These affective illnesses have inconsistent associations with mood and anxiety disorders, and vary in function and phenomenology by Latina/o ethnic group. Some researchers suggest that level of acculturation may be the most significant indicator of a tendency to present with ATQ/PNRV, but few empirical studies test this hypothesis. Through the use of mixed methods (i.e., integration of quantitative and qualitative methods), this two-study dissertation explores the extent to which ATQ and PNRV are culture-bound syndromes with identifiable signs and symptoms that are reliably associated with psychopathology and distress among a community sample of Mexican immigrant mothers. Study 1 examined the relationships between acculturative stress, U.S. American/Latino acculturation, anxious predispositions, psychological distress, and lifetime history of ATQ/PNRV. Study 2 explored the meanings of ATQ and PNRV among a sub-sample of respondents with positive histories of ATQ/NRV. In Study 1, survey batteries were administered to the full sample (N = 82). In Study 2, a semi-structured psychiatric interview and a qualitative interview about general beliefs of ATQ/NRV were administered to the sub-sample (n = 22). Hierarchical logistic and linear regression analyses and thematic content analysis were used. Results from Study 1 indicate that lifetime ATQ and PNRV were related experiences that were not consistently predictive of distress, with the exception of PNRV which was associated with psychological distress. Acculturation was not observed to be a statistically significant predictor of ATQ/PNRV. Results from Study 2 suggest that ATQ and PNRV are not statistically associated with psychiatric disorder. There was also no clear and consistent majority consensus on the signs, symptoms, and causes of ATQ and PNRV. Thus, ATQ and PNRV are better conceptualized as interrelated idioms of distress rather than patterned and culturally-bounded experiences of psychopathology. Implications for the study of culture-bound syndromes and psychiatric nosology are discussed.

Development of the Stress of Immigration Survey: A Field Test Among Mexican Immigrant Women

Article

Nov 2015

The Stress of Immigration Survey (SOIS) is a screening tool used to assess immigration-related stress. The mixed methods approach included concept development, pretesting, field testing, and psychometric evaluation in a sample of 131 low-income women of Mexican descent. The 21-item SOIS screens for stress related to language, immigrant status, work issues, yearning for family and home country, and cultural dissonance. Mean scores ranged from 3.6 to 4.4 (a scale of 1-5, higher is more stress). Cronbach α values were more than 0.80 for all subscales. The SOIS may be a useful screening tool for detecting high levels of immigration-related stress in low-income Mexican immigrant women.

Psychosocial Determinants of Mental Healthcare Use Among Mexican-origin Women from Farmworker Families in Southern California

Article

Aug 2023

Little is known about the contribution of psychosocial factors related to mental healthcare use among Mexican-origin women from farmworker families. Therefore, this study assessed relationships between acculturative stress, depressive symptoms, mental healthcare service use, and preferences for seeking care. Linear and logistic regression models and chi-square tests were performed to analyze survey data from 78 Mexican-origin women from farmworker families. Women were recruited in collaboration with promotoras and completed measures of acculturative stress, depressive symptoms, and mental healthcare use and preferences. Overall, 29.5% of the sample reported clinically significant depressive symptomatology. Acculturative stress was positively associated with depressive symptoms (b = 0.43, 95%CI = 0.27,0.59) after controlling for years in the U.S., primary language, and demographic characteristics. In addition, acculturative stress was associated with lower odds of mental healthcare use (OR = 0.96) after controlling for years in the U.S. and depressive symptoms. However, this association was no longer statistically significant when controlling for health insurance status and access to transportation. Mexican-origin women with high levels of acculturative stress were significantly more likely to seek care from a psychiatrist/psychologist than their peers (54.3% vs. 45.7%); however, this preference was not indicative of their use of mental healthcare services. Results suggest that acculturative stress is a risk factor for depressive symptoms and might contribute to a delay in seeking mental healthcare services in Mexican-origin women from farmworker families. Thus, interventions for this group should address aspects of acculturative stress as a strategy to increase mental health services use.

Promoting Resilience in Immigrants: Understanding Latino/a Adaptation and Strengths

Chapter

Nov 2012

Historically, prevention in psychology has never been outright objectionable for mental health professionals. However, despite its acceptance, not enough practitioners engage in prevention and wellness promotion in their daily activities. The Oxford Handbook of Prevention in Counseling Psychology offers the foundational knowledge necessary to engage in successful prevention and wellness promotion with clients across the lifespan. Written from a counseling psychology perspective, this book presents an approach to prevention that emphasizes strengths of individuals and communities, integrates multicultural and social justice perspectives, and includes best practices in the prevention of a variety of psychological problems in particular populations. Assembling articles into four comprehensive sections, this book provides expert coverage on the following: fundamental aspects of prevention research and practice (i.e. the history of prevention, best practice guidelines, ethics, and evaluation); relevant topics such as bullying, substance abuse, suicide, school dropout, disordered eating, and intimate partner violence; the promotion of wellness and adaptation in specific populations and environments, providing findings on increasing college retention rates, fostering healthy identity development, promoting wellness in returning veterans, and eliminating heterosexism and racism; and the future of prevention, training, the intersection of critical psychology and prevention, and the importance of advocacy.

Autoetnografi

Article

Jan 2022

Scott Brodie Forsyth

Immigration and Stress

Chapter

Full-text available

Nov 2021

There were approximately 258 million international migrants worldwide in 2017. There has been rapid growth in international migration, increasing from 173 million in 2000 and 220 million in 2010. Being an immigrant can exacerbate many common life stressors, such as changes in health or family status, by severely limiting one’s access to health care or the ability to travel to one’s home country. In addition, immigration has an attendant host of unique stressors, such as learning a new language or crossing an international border illegally. Most international immigrants are motivated by a desire for economic betterment. In 2016, migrants from developing countries sent home an estimated U.S. $413 billion in remittances. Consequently, immigration affects not just the immigrant and the host country, but also has a major impact on the economy of their country of origin.

Disentangling acculturation and enculturation intergenerational gaps: Examining mother–youth value discrepancies and mental health among Mexican‐descent college students

Article

Aug 2021

Objective To test the acculturation gap hypothesis by examining mother–youth value discrepancies (both acculturative and enculturative) and their association with mother–youth acculturative conflict and youth mental health outcomes. Method Participants were 273 Mexican descent college students attending a large, public, Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in West Texas (72% women). The participants' ages ranged 18–25 years (M = 19.33 years; SD = 1.54 years). Results Three models assessed the relationship between mother–youth value discrepancies and mental health outcomes (suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury, and depressive symptoms) as mediated by mother–youth acculturative conflict. Consistently, Mexican heritage cultural values were related to mental health outcomes while American cultural values were not. Conclusions The study found that increased mother–youth discrepancies on Mexican cultural values were associated with increased negative mental health outcomes. Our findings suggest that adopting or learning new mainstream American values does not substitute for the Mexican cultural values that protect against negative outcomes.

Diversity and Culture

Chapter

Mar 2021

As the demographics of the United States change, so should the discussion about culture and diversity, especially as it applies to transitional age youth (TAY). These youth find themselves forming individual identities at the cusp of adulthood and must consider how to define themselves in a changing society. Depending on their specific circumstances, this period of identity formation can be more complex for transitional age youth. Additionally, in the past, different identity demographics were considered in isolation and used to characterize large swathes of the population. However, current thoughts on conceptualization have evolved. Now, healthcare providers, and particularly mental healthcare providers, should take demographic and cultural elements into account when formulating an assessment about each individual patient in a more intersectional, personalized framework and use that knowledge to guide treatment planning. There are growing academic conversations about bias, microaggressions, disparities, and identity, and how to incorporate these into clinical practice. Tools such as the cultural formulation interview can help mental health professionals obtain the necessary information to better understand and treat their patients. In this chapter, we describe these considerations using case examples, and some practical advice and tips for providers.

Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress in Transitional-Age Youth

Chapter

Full-text available

Mar 2021

The common occurrence of trauma-related mental illnesses in transitional age youth (TAY) deserves special focus both in terms of context and treatment options. This chapter will discuss the prevalence and consequences of trauma in TAY, which can range from brief acute reactions to chronic disabling conditions. Considerations for psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions for this age group will be discussed. Treatments generally involve psychotherapy, and there are a number of evidence-based ones to choose from, though most originated for use with adolescents or adults. Further research is needed to determine adaptability for TAY. Pharmacologic options can support patients through symptom targeting and remission, particularly in combination with psychotherapy. Finally, special considerations and challenges in trauma intervention with this age group will be discussed.

Digital Media Use in Transitional-Age Youth: Challenges and Opportunities

Chapter

Mar 2021

Contemporary young adults differ from those of previous generations in their heavy engagement with screen media, including increasingly sophisticated video gaming and social media. This change in lifestyle has significant implications for their mental health and its treatment, for good and ill. Young adults typically prioritize screen media habits, thus displacing risky behavior such as recreational drug and alcohol use, sexual intercourse, and violence. Yet this also displaces healthy habits including adequate sleep, reading books, and in-person socializing. Some young adults develop an impairing but treatable behavioral addiction to gaming and other screen media, although names and definitions regarding the phenomenon vary greatly. Digital media behaviors interact with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders in distinct manners which must be assessed and addressed in treatment. Psychiatrists should incorporate aspects of digital media habits and experiences into their assessments and formulations of young adult patients, adapting practice to the highly digitized lives of this generation.

Immigration and Stress

Chapter

Full-text available

Apr 2020

Contextualizing acculturative stress among Latino immigrants in the United States: a systematic review

Article

May 2018

Purpose: This systematic review of the literature informed of (a) the relationship between acculturation and acculturative stress, (b) examined the determinants of acculturative stress among Latino immigrants in the U.S., and (c) provided a conceptual framework that can be used to specify the interactive effect of various factors on acculturative stress. Methods: Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), this review synthesized the results of thirty studies published between 2000 and 2015 that investigated the influence of several socio-demographic and cultural contexts on acculturative stress among Latino immigrants categorized using Family Stress Management (FSM) theory as a framework. Results: Studied highlighted several protectors from and risks to acculturative stress. Historical context protective factors included having a choice over the decision to migrate and social support; risks included discrimination, family left abroad, and fear of deportation. Economic context protective factors included higher income. The development context protective factors included English skills, years in the U.S., and being married; risks included being female. Cultural context protective factors included being culturally competent and acculturation; risks included family-cultural conflict and ethnic enclave pressures. Internal context protectors included post-immigration religious coping, church attendance, and family values. Implications: The results highlighted incorporating cultural aspects (i.e. family values and social support) in mental health practice with Latino immigrants. A less stressful integration experience can be achieved if age-related stressors and experiences of discrimination are acknowledged and the need for social support and harmonious family dynamics was prioritized in service plans.

Female Mexican Immigrants in the United States: Cultural Knowledge and Healing

Article

Jun 2017

Mexican American immigrant women have faced many adversities historically, resulting in significant injuries to their physical and psychological selves. In attempts to heal from such injuries, these women have long engaged in self-healing through maintenance of their own cultural values, identities, and beliefs and also through working with, or even becoming, traditional healers. Such healing processes can be seen as a form of adjustment to a new culture, as well as a maintenance of native culture (Espin, 1996 Espin, O. M. (1996). Latina healers: Lives of power and tradition. Encino, CA: Floricanto Press. [Google Scholar]) and may take the form of a blending of cultures representing a “new indigeneity.” This article highlights such healing practices, including the role of cultural values and beliefs for healing, as well as current efforts to blend cultural healing practices within a framework of equality and respect.

Using Integrated Care to Treat Anxiety Among Latino Populations

Chapter

Oct 2016

Latinos are among the fastest growing minority group in the U.S. and they continue to experience considerable barriers to accessing medical and behavioral health services in the U.S. As a group, Latinos evidence high prevalence of anxiety disorders and comorbidity, highlighting the need to improve current disparities in quality of and access to mental health care. A unique opportunity now exists to address such disparities as the new health care reform is aimed at medical and behavioral health integration. Given the small number of Latinos that do seek mental health care often do so in primary care settings, developing culturally appropriate integrated care in these settings may be an optimal place to start. This chapter provides an overview of an integrated model for anxiety as well as recommendations for implementing culturally appropriate adaptations of the model to improve the quality of care for Latinos.

Immigration and Stres (English Version - Immigration: Implikationen für Stress und Gesundheit)

Chapter

Full-text available

Jan 2013

Nach Schätzungen der Vereinten Nationen (2009) haben ca. 3 % der Weltbevölkerung, also fast 191 Millionen Menschen, ihre Heimat (dauerhaft) verlassen, um sich in einem anderen Land niederzulassen. Zwischen 1990 und 2005 ist die weltweite Zahl um 36 Millionen gestiegen, wobei die Mehrheit (60 %) dieser Einwanderer in wirtschaftlich entwickelte Länder strebt.

Exploring the influence of media exposure and cultural values on Korean immigrants' advertising evaluations

Article

Jan 2008
INT J ADVERT

This Study investigated how mass media exposure and Cultural values influence Korean immigrants' responses to models in print advertising. In a between-subject design, participants viewed advertisements featuring either Caucasian or Asian models. The results of structural equation modelling show that there are significant relationships between mass media exposure, Cultural values, and attitudes towards advertising models. Media exposure and cultural values predict attitudes towards advertising models, such that Korean Immigrants who are exposed to Korean mass media and demonstrate Korean values show positive evaluations of Asian models, whereas Korean immigrants who are exposed to American mass media tend to show positive evaluations of Caucasian models. Results are explained according to acculturation processes within the Social Cognitive Theory and Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT).

Marriage-Based Immigrant Women’s Cultural Adaptation Types and Acculturation Stress

Article

Sep 2010

Comparative Studies of Acculturative Stress

Article

Full-text available

Nov 1988

A series of studies of acculturative stress is reported, involving immigrants, refugees, native peoples, sojourners and ethnic groups in Canada. Acculturative stress is defined as a reduction in health status of individuals who are undergoing acculturation, and for which there is evidence that these health phenomena are related systematically to acculturation phenomena. -from Authors

Acculturative Stress and Specific Coping Strategies among Immigrant and Later Generation College Students

Article

Full-text available

Jun 1987

Acculturative stress and specific coping strategies were assessed in a group of 214 multicultural college undergraduates of both sexes who were divided into four generational status groups: early immigrants (immigrated before 12 years of age) and late immigrants (immigrated after age 12), second-generation and third-generation. Also explored was the relationship of acculturative stress to self-esteem, locus of control and loyalty to American culture. The self-administered questionnaire contained the short version of the Padilla SAFE Acculturative Stress Measure, a loyalty toward American culture scale, Rotter's Internal/External Locus of Control scale, and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. Findings revealed that late immigrant students experienced greater acculturative stress than the other groups. Also, late immigrants coped with stress more frequently by taking a direct, planned action (individualistic) approach, while secondand third-generation groups more often coped by talking to others about the problem (social network). Early immigrants employed both coping strategies.

Generational Status and Personality Factors as Predictors of Stress in Students

Article

Full-text available

Sep 1986

To determine the effect of generational status on stress and several personality measures, 247 university students were asked to complete a questionnaire containing a new stress scale designed for use with immigrant students, Coopersmith's brief Self-Esteem Inventory, Rotters Internal/External Locus of Control Scale, and the introversion/extroversion subscale of the Comrey Personality Index. Students were divided into four generational groups consisting of Early Immigrants (immigration prior to age 14 years), Late Immigrants (immigration after the age of 14), Second-generation, and Third/Later generation individuals. Results revealed that the Late Immigrant Group experienced the highest stresses and scored lowest on self-esteem and locus of control. Second-generation subjects resembled the Late Immigrants on stress and the personality measures. Interestingly, the scores of Early Immigrants and Third/Later-generation individuals bore a closer resemblance on most of the measures. No significant sex main effects or sex by generation interactions were observed on any of the measures. Discriminant analysis of the stress measure revealed that the best discriminator of generational status was a Cultural/Family Function followed by a Social/Environmental Function. Together both functions correctly classified 91% of the Late Immigrants and 82% of the total subjects into the four generational groups.

Testing and Linguistic Minorities

Article

Full-text available

Oct 1981

Esteban Olmedo

Suggests that psychological and educational testing of members of linguistic minority groups should take into account the diverse social, political, and economic realities currently facing these groups. These realities are moderated by educational opportunities, which in turn are closely linked to various forms of standardized testing. Key conceptual and operational issues underlying concern about this situation are described. Conceptual issues include bilingualism, acculturation, and the "emic–etic" distinction, particularly as the latter applies to the cross-cultural generalizability of cognitive constructs. Operational issues include assessment of language dominance, test translation and development, and the examiner variable. The author appeals for concern with and sensitivity to individual differences in sociocultural and linguistic characteristics. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Primary prevention of acculturative stress among refugees: Application of psychological theory and practice

Article

Full-text available

Jun 1991

Primary prevention in refugee mental health requires information from clinical, health, and cross-cultural psychology. Primary prevention's roots are in public health, which is distinguished by a communitywide perspective for addressing mental health concerns. This article summarizes research suggesting that refugees are an at-risk population, making them especially suitable for public health interventions. Research on stress and acculturation is highlighted, given its importance to prevention in refugee mental health. The opportunities for primary prevention programs and policies at 3 levels (i.e., local community, national, and international) are illustrated with case examples from both the United States and Canada. Prevention at the international level is highlighted by a World Health Organization Mental Health Mission to camps on the Thai-Cambodian border.

Acculturative stress, depression, and suicidal ideation in Mexican immigrants. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 6, 134-151

Article

Full-text available

May 2000

Joseph D Hovey

This study examined the relationship among acculturative stress, depression, and suicidal ideation in a sample of Mexican immigrants. Also examined were variables that predict depression and suicidal ideation. Multiple regression analyses revealed that acculturative stress significantly predicted depression and suicidal ideation and that family support, social support, religiosity, agreement with the decision to migrate, and expectations for the future were significant predictors of depression and suicidal ideation. The overall findings suggest that adult Mexican immigrants who experience elevated levels of acculturative stress may be at risk for experiencing critical levels of depression and suicidal ideation. The findings highlight the importance of using culturally relevant clinical methods when assessing and treating the depressed and potentially suicidal acculturating individual.

Psychology of acculturation

Article

Jan 1990

J.W. Berry

Acculturative StressThe Role of Ecology, Culture and Differentiation

Article

Dec 1974

Examined is the hypothesis that the psychological response to social change would vary as a function of both the acculturative pressures brought to bear on a community, and the traditional cultural and behavioural features that characterize the community. By sampling from communities of Amerindian peoples, across an eco-cultural range, evidence was presented which indicated that the greater the cultural discontinuities across cultures, then the greater the acculturative stress; within Amerindian communities, levels of psychological differentiation were negatively related to acculturative stress. Specific cultural and individual differences must be taken into account when attempting to understand relationships between culture contact and acculturative stress; its course is not universal.

Hispanic Familism and Acculturation: What Changes and What Doesn't?

Article

Dec 1987

This investigation studied the effects of acculturation on attitudinal familism in 452 Hispanics compared to 227 white nonHispanics. Despite differences in the national origin of Hispanics, Mexican-, Central -and Cuban-Americans reported similar attitudes toward the family indicating that familism is a core characteristic in the Hispanic culture. Three basic dimensions of familism were found: Familial obligations, perceived support from the family and family as referents. The high level of perceived family support, invariable despite changes in acculturation, is the most essential dimension of Hispanic familism. Familial obligations and the perception of the family as referents appear to diminish with the level of acculturation, but the perception of family support doesn't change. Although these two dimensions of familism decrease concurrently with the level of acculturation, the attitudes of persons with high levels of acculturation are more familistic than those of white nonHispanics.

Development of a Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics

Article

Jun 1987

This article reports the development of a short (12-item) acculturation scale for Hispanics. Separate factor analyses of the responses of 363 Hispanics and 228 non-Hispanic whites produced three factors: "Language Use," "Media," and "Ethnic Social Relations." The 12-item scale (explaining 67.6% of the variance for Hispanics) correlated highly with the following validation criteria: respondents' generation, length of residence in the U.S., age at arrival, ethnic self-identification, and with an acculturation index. The first factor consists of only five items and explains 54.5% of the variance while maintaining strong correlations with the various criteria. The validity and reliability coefficients for this new short scale are comparable to those obtained for other published scales. Separate validations for Mexican Americans and Central Americans showed similar results.

Latino Family Functioning and Acculturation: A Family Systems Perspective

Article

Aug 1989

This study examines the relationtship betweeni acculturation anid famtnily funictioninig in families of Mexican descent. Using a family s)stemns fraflmework, faiiii funictiotiiig is defined in terms of internal versus extrernalfameilv activitiies. Accultluratioln is defined by generational statu.s, language preferentcelproficienicy, aid letgtgh of-residence. Forty-five families were selected from Head Start programns aid placed ilto three groups-unacculturated, moderately acctulturated, and acctiltturated. Thte notherandfathlerof each famnily were interviewed and adminiistered a socio-demnographic questionnaire anid the Family Environment Scale (FES). Results gemierally support the stated hypolheses: As families of Mexicani descenti acculturate, they become increasingly involved with social systems outside the family while the basic in1terntal family system remains essenltially untchanged. These findings are discussed as they pettaini to diffrenest models of acculturationz and puiblic policy issues.

Acculturation Attitudes and Acculturative Stress of Central American Refugees

Article

Feb 1994
INT J PSYCHOL

Research on acculturation has revealed a variable relationship between acculturation and mental health, which is due to the presence of a number of moderating factors. Some of these factors, namely, modes of acculturation, acculturative experience with the host society. contact with the culture of origin. and individualistic values have been examined in order to understand better the relationship of these factors with acculturative stress. In the present research, Central American refugees (N=101) who were resettled in Canada completed a questionnaire dealing with their attitudes, behaviours, values, and levels of acculturative stress. Results indicated that different factors are involved in the prediction of psychological and somatic aspects of acculturative stress, with contact with the culture of origin and modes of acculturation being the best predictors.Dans le domaine de l'acculturation. les études ont montré l'inconstance du lien entre les variables de l'acculturation et la santé mentale, ceci en raison de l'intervention d'un certain nombre de facteurs modérateurs. Afin de mieux saisir l'impact de ces facteurs sur le stress d'acculturation. on a examiné 1'effet du mode d'acculturation, de l'expérience avec la société d'accueil, du contact avec la culture d'origine ainsi que des valeurs individualistes et collectivistes des individus. Dans la présente recherche, 101 réfugiés d'Amérique centrale au Canada ont répondu à un questionnaire portant sur leurs attitudes, comportements, valeurs et le niveau de stress d'acculturation. Plusieurs facteurs permettent de prédire les aspects psychologiques et somatiques du stress d'acculturation. les meilleurs prédicteurs étant le contact avec la culture d'origine et les modes d'acculturation.

Using the Social, Attitudinal, Familial, and Environmental (SAFE) Acculturation Stress Scale to assess the adjustment needs of Hispanic college students.

Article

Jul 1996

Examined the validity and reliability of F. J. Mena et al's (see record 1988-32461-001) 24-item SAFE Acculturation Stress Scale using a heterogeneous group of 141 Hispanic college students. Ss also completed 3 open-ended questions on stress they had experienced in the US. Principal components analysis and the varimax rotation method yielded a 4-factor solution to SAFE scale. The factors were environmental, attitudinal, social, and familial. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) found no significant interactions between different levels of gender, generational status, and SES; however, there was a significant main effect for generation. Results suggest that the SAFE scale is a reliable and valid measure of the acculturation stress of Hispanic college students. The 4 factors appear to measure unique and integral aspects of acculturation stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Self-report family assessment instruments: An evaluative review.

Article

Mar 1991
Fam Pract Res J

John G. Halvorsen

Reviewed and assessed 8 self-report measures of total family functioning according to a standardized approach to instrument design. The instruments evaluated include the Family Assessment Device (N. B. Epstein et al, 1981), the Family Assessment Measure (H. A. Skinner et al, 1983), the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale, the Family Environment Scale, the Family Functioning Index (I. B. Pless and B. Satterwhite, 1973), the Self-Report Family Inventory (R. B. Hampson et al, 1989), the Family APGAR (G. Smilkstein et al, 1982) and the Family Functioning Questionnaire (S. Linder-Pelz et al; see record 1985-16339-001). The analysis indicates 2 major problems with these instruments: (1) disagreement on key concepts and definitions (2) inconsistency in design and attention to detail in empirical analysis and psychometric evaluation. Family assessment techniques need further development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

The McMaster Family Assessment Device

Article

Jun 2007
J MARITAL FAM THER

This paper describes the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD), a newly developed questionnaire designed to evaluate families according to the McMaster Model of Family Functioning. The FAD is made up of seven scales which measure Problem Solving, Communication, Roles, Affective Responsiveness, Affective Involvement, Behavior Control and General Functioning. The paper describes the procedures used to develop the FAD and presents scale means and scale reliabilities from a sample of 503 individuals.

Depressive Symptoms and Their Correlates among Immigrant Mexican Women in the United States

Article

Feb 1986

Correlates of depressive symptomatology and caseness are examined for a survey sample of N = 1825 poor Mexican immigrant women in San Diego County, California. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression (CES—D) checklist is tested against a variety of demographic variables as well as health status and service utilization rates. Statistically significant associations were found between CES—D and education, years in the United States, income, marital status and number of adults in household. Also significant were associations with health status, confidant support and recent, traumatic life event. Utilization rates point to medical doctors as the major source of formal treatment and a heavy reliance on family and friends. The implications of the high disorder rates for diagnosis and treatment among immigrants are discussed.

A Cross-Cultural Study of Major Depression and Family Functioning

Article

Jun 1991

Patterns of family functioning in families with a depressed member from two cultures (North America and Hungary) were compared. In both cultural settings, families with a depressed member reported poorer family functioning than the control families. Comparisons between the two depressed groups, however, showed that the response to family dysfunction by the two cultures differed. While depressed families in Hungary reported difficulties in setting family rules and boundaries, those in North America experienced impaired functioning in solving problems, communicating, being involved with each other, and in overall functioning. These results are discussed in terms of the interplay between culture, depression and family functioning.

Self-report family assessment instruments: an evaluative review [see comment]

Article

Apr 1991
Fam Pract Res J

J G Halvorsen

Family medicine is challenged to document the impact of family systems on health and physiologic function. For this research investigators must measure family system variables with instruments that are both valid and reliable. In this context, eight self-report measures of total family functioning are reviewed and assessed according to a standardized approach to instrument design. The instruments evaluated include the Family Assessment Device, the Family Assessment Measure, the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales, the Family Environment Scale, the Family Functioning Index, the Self-Report Family Inventory, the Family APGAR, and the Family Functioning Questionnaire. The analysis indicates two major problems with these instruments. First, there is disagreement on key concepts and definitions. Second, there is inconsistency in design and attention to detail in empirical analysis and psychometic evaluation. Family assessment techniques need further development and remain a fertile research field for family medicine investigation.

Culturally Sensitive Family Assessment: An Evaluation of the Family Assessment Device Used with Hawaiian‐American and Japanese‐American Families

Article

Apr 1990

Teresa M. Morris

This article reports the results of a study of the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) used with samples drawn from two non-Anglo ethnic groups: Hawaiian-Americans and Japanese-Americans living in Hawaii. The results showed that the FAD appeared to make appropriate assessments of Hawaiian-American study participants' families and inappropriate assessments of Japanese-American study participants' families. Results also suggested that cultural norms regarding family functioning may vary according to socioeconomic status. FAD modifications are suggested.

Measures of Social Support: Assessment of Validity

Article

Jul 1990

The evidence of construct validity that resulted from conjoint testing of two measures of social support, the Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ85) and the Cost and Reciprocity Index (CRI) is presented. Both instruments were used with two samples of adults, 333 who were part of a large health project and 99 who participated in a methodological study. The PRQ85 and CRI appear to tap the construct of support yet are not highly redundant. Both tools demonstrated similar curves of relationships to external criteria. Dissimilar patterns of relationships with negative mood states indicated an area of need for future study.

Psychology of Acculturation

Article

Feb 1989
NEBR SYM MOTIV

John W. Berry

A Social Support Measure

Article

Sep 1987

Clarann Weinert, SC,PhD,RN,FAAN

The Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ) was developed in 1981 to measure situational and perceived social support. This article presents the history of its development and the latest psychometric evaluation of the tool. Nurturance subscale items were rewritten to reflect a broader context of behaviors toward persons of any age. Content validity was further established by correlations between the PRQ and two mental health measures. Factor analysis indicated that a three-factor structure for the perceived social support scale may be more appropriate than the hypothesized five-subscale structure.

Measuring Social Support with the Personal Resource Questionnaire

Article

Dec 1987

Psychiatric Symptomatology among Mexican American Farmworkers

Article

Feb 1985

The paper presents findings from an epidemiologic field survey of 500 Mexican American farmworkers conducted in central California. The survey was intended as a health needs assessment of this population and the Health Opinion Survey was used to establish normative psychiatric symptom distributions. Analyses of the data by gender, age and income revealed that these socio-demographic variables were not important predictors of symptom levels, although the highest mean scores were reported in the 40-59 age group. Income levels were modest and fairly uniform, which contributed to the lack of mean score variation. Symptom distributions were analyzed for the variables age and sex using the HOS criteria of caseness and it was found that approx. 20% of the sample reached the criteria of caseness. A comparison of HOS mean scores with a national sample of surveys indicated that Mexican American farmworkers had symptom levels which resemble those of other low income socio-economic groups, such as southern blacks. Another analysis was conducted which reported a striking correspondence between self perception of health with psychiatric symptoms. A conclusion reached from the survey is that the Mexican American farmworkers in this sample appear to be experiencing psychiatric symptom levels which place them at extraordinary risk. Stresses associated with this group, i.e., limited social mobility, transience, poverty, discrimination and a high rate of traumatic life events were identified as possible contributors to this risk proneness.

Acculturative Stress, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation among Immigrant and Second-Generation Latino Adolescents

Article

Oct 1996
J AM ACAD CHILD PSY

(1) To determine the relationship between acculturative stress, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation in a sample of immigrant and second-generation Latino-American adolescents, and (2) to determine the best predictors of acculturative stress and depressive symptoms. Subjects were 40 female and 30 male students from a bilingual program in a southern California high school. Measures used were the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics, the SAFE acculturative stress measure, the Family Assessment Device, the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale, the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior, and an open-ended question measuring individual attitudes and expectations toward the future. A cross-sectional design was used. One fourth of the adolescents reported critical levels of depression and suicidal ideation, which were positively correlated with acculturative stress. Multiple regression analyses revealed that perceived family dysfunction and nonpositive "expectations for the future" were significant predictors of acculturative stress and depression. Results suggest that some acculturating Latino adolescents experience high levels of acculturative stress. These adolescents are also "at risk" for experiencing critical levels of depression and suicidal ideation. Findings highlight the importance of assessing the treating the depressed and potentially suicidal acculturating adolescent within a cultural context.

Acculturative Stress, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation Among Central American Immigrants

Article

Feb 2000

Joseph D Hovey

No previous studies have examined suicide risk among Central American immigrants. The present study explored the relationship between acculturative stress, depression, and suicidal ideation among Central American immigrants. Also examined were variables that predict depression and suicidal ideation. Elevated levels of acculturative stress were significantly correlated with high levels of depression and suicidal ideation. Family dysfunction, ineffective social support, nonpositive expectations concerning the future, low levels of religiosity, low levels of education and income, and lack of agreement with the decision to immigrate were significantly associated with high levels of depression and suicidal ideation. The overall findings suggest that Central American immigrants who experience elevated levels of acculturative stress may be at risk for experiencing heightened levels of depression and suicidal ideation. The findings highlight the importance of using culturally relevant clinical methods when assessing and treating depressed and potentially suicidal acculturating individuals.

Psychology of acculturation Nebraska Sympo-sium on Motivation Cross-cultural perspectives (pp. 20 1-234) Lincoln: Uni-versity of Nebraska Press Acculturative stress: The role ofecology. culture and differentiation

Jan 1974
382-405

J W Beny

Beny, J. W. (1990). Psychology of acculturation. In J. J. Berman (Ed.). Nebraska Sympo-sium on Motivation: Vol. 37. Cross-cultural perspectives (pp. 20 1-234). Lincoln: Uni-versity of Nebraska Press. Berry, J. W., & Annis, R. C. (1974). Acculturative stress: The role ofecology. culture and differentiation. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 5, 382-405.

Symptom expression and the use of mental health ser-vices among American ethnic minorities Acculturation attitudes and acculturative stress of Cen-tral American refugees

Jan 1994
40-56

N G Dinges
D Cherry
Allyn And Bacon
G Don
J W Berry

Dinges, N. G., & Cherry, D. (1995). Symptom expression and the use of mental health ser-vices among American ethnic minorities. In J. A. Aponte, R. Y. Rivers, & 5. Wohl (Eds.), Psychological interventions and cultural diversity (pp. 40-56). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Don& G., & Berry, J. W. (1994). Acculturation attitudes and acculturative stress of Cen-tral American refugees. International Journal of Psychology, 29, 57-70.

Acculturation and mental health Health and cross-cultural psychology: Towards application (pp. 207-236) Comparative studies of acculturative stress

Jan 1987
491-5

J W Berry
U P Kim
J W Dasen
N Berry
Sartorius
is

Berry, J. W., & Kim, U. (1988). Acculturation and mental health. In P. Dasen, J. W. Berry, & N. Sartorius @IS.), Health and cross-cultural psychology: Towards application (pp. 207-236). London: Sage. Beny, J. W., Kim, U., Minde, T., & Mok, D. (1987). Comparative studies of acculturative stress. International Migration Review, 21. 491-5 1 1.

Psychosocial Predictors of Acculturative Stress in Mexican Immigrants

Abstract

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