Abstract
BackgroundAcculturation is a continuous, firsthand contact with other cultures functioning at both group and individual levels and is reflected in our culturally diverse society, calling for a greater understanding of the environmental and cultural impact on health. Self-reported health (SRH), a robust and well validated predictor of future mortality for all racial/ethnic groups, has been differentially reported by Hispanics compared to whites, especially based on their acculturation status. This study investigated the relationship between acculturation and SRH among Hispanics. An adapted Andersen framework was used to develop logistic regression models to assess for an association between acculturation and general health status.MethodsHispanic participants (n = 135), as part of the North Texas Healthy Heart Study, were administered standardized questionnaires on acculturation, psychosocial measures which included sense of control, stress, depression and social support and a single item SRH measure. In addition, physiological measurements and demographic characteristics including age, gender, body mass index, medical history, and socioeconomic status were also obtained.ResultsBivariate analyses found Mexican-oriented participants 3.16 times more likely to report fair/poor SRH compared to Anglo-oriented Hispanics. Acculturation was also associated with SRH in multiple regression models controlling for enabling, need, and predisposing factors together (OR: 3.53, 95% CI: 1.04, 11.97).ConclusionsAcculturation status was associated with SRH after accounting for other underlying factors. Medical and public health professionals should promote the use of acculturation measures in order to better understand its role in Hispanic behaviors, health outcomes and health care use. Such research findings will contribute to the design of culturally sensitive prevention and treatment strategies for diverse and immigrant populations.
Highlights
Acculturation is a continuous, firsthand contact with other cultures functioning at both group and individual levels and is reflected in our culturally diverse society, calling for a greater understanding of the environmental and cultural impact on health
Mexican-oriented Hispanics were more likely to report less than a high school education than Anglo-oriented participants or income below $20,000
Bivariate regression analyses revealed Mexican-oriented Hispanics were over 3 times more likely to report fair/poor health compared to Anglo-oriented Hispanics
Summary
Acculturation is a continuous, firsthand contact with other cultures functioning at both group and individual levels and is reflected in our culturally diverse society, calling for a greater understanding of the environmental and cultural impact on health. Acculturation is defined as continuous, firsthand contact with other cultures functioning at both group and individual levels [1] Such contact is an iterative process by which an individual assimilates with the sociolinguistic and cultural norms of their host country, thereby facilitating access to certain products and services, such as health care. The link between acculturation and disease status may be explained by one’s ability to identify and understand their health status within the context of a host country whose socio-cultural norms have not been assimilated to that individual. Such research findings support the importance of including psychosocial risk factors and length of stay in the host country when examining acculturation’s influence on health
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