Immigran t Men tal an d Ph ysical Health

Abstract

Berry's model of acculturation can be considered as very useful to classify different strategies to cope with or to adjust to a new culture. In the model four relevant modes of acculturation are described: integration, assimilation, segregation and marginalisation. Research illustrates that these modes are differently related to health and psychosocial adjustment. Irrespective of the mode mostly preferred by a social group, we find marked inter-individual differences in the preference of an acculturation style Research findings show that these individual differences are very closely related to a series of personality variables, such as cognitive styles, coping styles, and reactions to stressful life events in general. Understanding the complex relationships between personality and acculturation modes can help the social scientist to develop and apply adequate intervention strategies and to give some suggestions for the development of adequate socio-political acculturation programmes.