Values, Behaviour and Identity: Acculturation of Indian Immigrant Men in Australia

Abstract

Over 20 million Indians live outside India, and they constitute a major immigrant population in popular westerns nations like the USA, Australia, Canada and the UK. However, there is paucity of scientific information on acculturation of Indian immigrants. The present investigation was part of a larger study on sexuality and sexual health involving a community sample of adult Indian men living in Australia. All three dimensions of acculturation (i.e. behaviour, values and identity) were measured using the Suinn–Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation scale (SL-ASIA, 26-items). Two hundred and six participants completed the SL-ASIA scale, and the mean score was 2.28 (SD 0.46) representing a bicultural pattern. A large proportion (n = 93, 45 %) of Indian men expressed that they hold on to Indian values. On the other hand, a similar proportion (n = 75, 44 %) responded bicultural behavioural pattern and over half of all participants (n = 119, 58 %) did self identify themselves as bicultural. A weak, positive and significant correlation was found between length of residence and unilinear measure of acculturation among Indian migrant men. Those who lived in the metropolitan cities of India, prior to migration to Australia, had significantly higher scores of unilinear acculturation (meaning more Western) than those who lived in non-metropolitan cities. Significant difference was observed in values and self-identity domains of bilinear measures of acculturation among Indian men based on their place of residence prior to migration to Australia. As with past studies, biculturalism was the dominant acculturation pattern in the present study. In contrast, Indian immigrant men tended to hold on to Indian values. This finding highlights that migration, among Indian immigrant men, could have varying effect on different dimensions of acculturation. Also, it confirms the emerging concept of ‘cultural values’ as an acculturation variable and its importance in acculturation studies. Length of residence in a new society and place of residence prior to migration seem to play a vital role in the acculturation pattern of migrants, and such contextual factors need further investigation. Policy and practical implications are discussed, and recommendations have been made for future research.