Acculturation Factors Research Articles

Determinants of Psychological Adaptation Among Brazilian International Students in Portugal

ABSTRACT This research aimed to detect the determinants of psychological adaptation (in terms of satisfaction with life and loneliness) among Brazilian international students living in Portugal. We used a sample of 174 Brazilian international students. The integration and contact hypotheses were supported. Academic achievement and social support scores were significantly and positively associated with psychological adaptation. Acculturation factors accounted for a larger proportion of the explained variance in satisfaction with life and loneliness than socio-demographic characteristics. In addition, sociocultural adaptation difficulty mediated the relationships of perceived discrimination and both indicators of psychological adaptation. Suggestions for future investigation are highlighted.

Behavioral and Psychosocial Dynamics in Diabetes Management: A Path Analysis to Examine the Influence of Acculturation in Arab Immigrant Communities.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) prevalence is rising globally. Arab immigrants with T2DM, one of the least studied ethnic minorities, have a higher diabetes prevalence and more prominent management-related challenges compared with mainstream host societies. Acculturation's impact on self-care activities and diabetes distress (DD) is understudied globally. To examine how acculturation affects self-care practices and DD in first-generation Arab immigrants with T2DM and how health literacy, illness perceptions, and self-efficacy mediate these associations. This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in Victoria, Australia. Eligible patients were invited while waiting for their appointments. The questionnaire included validated tools to assess DD, self-care activities, health literacy, self-efficacy, and acculturation. We tested mediation hypothesis using path analysis, with a maximum likelihood estimation to calculate total, direct, and indirect effects and bias-corrected accelerated 95% CI. Overall, 382 Arab immigrants with T2DM participated, with an average age of 57.9 years (SD = 8.0). Half were males, most had low education, and were married. Participants lived in Australia for a mean of 19.1 years (SD = 8.3) and had diabetes for 7.1 years (SD =4.7). Higher acculturation was directly associated with decreased DD. Illness perceptions (p = .002) and self-efficacy (p = .001) mediated the association of acculturation with self-care activities, while health literacy did not. Additionally, self-efficacy fully mediated the relationship between acculturation and DD (p = .001). This research provided valuable insights into the complex interplay between acculturation, diabetes management, and psychosocial factors. Interventions targeting self-efficacy and illness perceptions may improve self-care activities and reduce DD among Arab immigrants with T2DM.

Factors Influencing the Effect of College Teachers Studying Abroad

This paper discusses the factors that influence the effect of Chinese college teachers studying abroad, and analyzes the effects of language ability, acculturation, social network, tutor guidance, subject correlation and other factors on the income of teachers studying abroad through literature review and empirical research. The results show that the effect of Chinese college teachers studying abroad depends on the complex relationship between many factors, and the influence of different factors on the income of studying abroad is also different.

Profiles of community support and challenges associated with insomnia symptoms: Findings from the pilot Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio Health Study

Study objectivesWe investigated profiles of community support and challenges in relation to insomnia symptoms among the Bhutanese living in the United States. MethodsUsing data from the pilot Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio Health Study (N = 495; 51.5% men, 69.8% aged 18-44years), we used latent class analysis to identify distinct profiles of neighborhood social cohesion, social support, and community challenges (e.g., limited access to healthcare services and transportation, crime and safety issues, substance use, intimate partner violence) and their associations with insomnia symptoms. Insomnia symptoms were self-reported as difficulty falling and staying asleep and dichotomized as “not at all” vs. “some to always.” Identified classes/profiles were further differentiated by self-reported sociodemographic, socioeconomic, health, acculturative, and discrimination factors. ResultsLatent class analysis revealed four distinct classes/profiles. The High Cohesion (class 1) profile (30.1% of sample) had the lowest likelihood of insomnia symptoms at 6.5%, followed by class 2 or High Support (23.6%) with a 15.3% likelihood. Class 3 or High Challenges profile (11.5%) had a moderate likelihood of insomnia symptoms at 49%. Class 4 or the Low Cohesion/Support profile (34.7%) had a 100% likelihood of reporting insomnia symptoms. Class 4 when compared to class 1 was more likely to report cardiometabolic conditions, experiences of everyday discrimination, limited English linguistic proficiency, and not using telehealth. ConclusionCommunity social cohesion and support may play an important role in mitigating insomnia symptoms among Bhutanese refugees. Further investigations are warranted.

Normative data for verbal fluency and naming tests in Spanish-speaking adults in the United States.

Linguistic deficits are common across neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Currently there are limited neuropsychological norms available for Spanish-speaking adults residing in the U.S. To generate norms for two verbal fluency tests and the Boston Naming Test (BNT) in a Spanish-speaking population in the U.S., with adjustments for demographic and cultural variables. The sample consisted of 245 adults from the U.S. Participants completed phonological and semantic verbal fluency tests and the BNT. A standardized two-step statistical procedure was used. For the phoneme F, interactions between Spanish proficiency, age, and education arose. Better performance on phonemes A, S, and M was related to education. Spanish proficiency, acculturation, and time in the U.S. were associated with the phonemes S, A, P, M, and R. An age by education interaction was found for phonemes M and R. The FAS and PMR triads were related to age, sex, time in U.S., and Spanish proficiency. For the semantic verbal fluency tests, an interaction between education and Spanish proficiency arose. For the BNT, test scores were related to education, and significant interactions were also found based on education's interaction with Spanish proficiency and acculturation. This study highlights the importance of accounting for sociodemographic and acculturative factors when developing normative data for verbal fluency tests and the BNT for dominant Spanish-speaking adults in the U.S. These sociodemographically-adjusted norms will help improve accuracy of diagnosis and interpretation of linguistic test performance in Spanish speakers living in the U.S.

From the Middle East to America: Examining Acculturative Factors of Adolescent Immigration

Global immigration necessitates acculturation which is the process of adapting to cultural norms while maintaining aspects of origin-country culture. Acculturation is the process through which individuals adapt to the culture, norms, and belief systems of their host country (Sayegh & Lasry, 1993; Yeh et al., 2008). Acculturation is difficult for adolescents because they are undergoing identity formation throughout immigration. For Middle Eastern individuals in particular, cultural differences, threat of harmful stereotyping, and socioeconomic difficulties further complicate this process. This study examined factors that relate to acculturation for Middle Eastern immigrants who immigrated during adolescence. Eight participants were interviewed for this study and interview transcriptions were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results found three overarching themes related to community, personal identity, and American infrastructure. Further research should be conducted to explore each of these constructs in detail to ensure Middle Eastern adolescent immigrants can receive acculturative support and to reduce the stigma held by the American public around Middle Eastern individuals.

Understanding Acculturation Factors to Ensure Well-being Among Ethnic Minorities in Georgia

This comprehensive article provides a deep dive into Georgia’s intricate and diverse cul-tural landscape. With a particular focus on the country’s ethnic minorities, specifically Armenians and Azeris, the research examines the various acculturation strategies these groups employ. The purpose of the research is to identify and thoroughly understand the multitude of factors that influence the se-lection of these acculturation strategies amongst these ethnic minorities. Acculturation strategies can take several forms, including integration, separation, marginalization, and assimilation. Each strategy has different implications for individuals and groups, influencing their cultural identity, social relation-ships, and overall psychological well-being. The research presented in this article pays special atten-tion to the integration strategy. Integration as an acculturation strategy has been linked to numerous positive outcomes. Among these are the successful coexistence of diverse ethnic groups within a single society and improved psychological well-being among ethnic minorities. This research aims to contribute to understanding how integration as an acculturation strategy can foster harmonious multicultural societies. The exploration of these complex dynamics of cultural integration within Georgia aims to shed light on the country’s multicultural fabric. This understanding can be used to inform policy decisions and foster a more inclusive society that respects and values its diverse ethnic groups.

Acculturative stress and psychological distress during COVID-19, among racial-ethnic minority immigrants in the US

ABSTRACT Guided by Berry’s conceptualization of acculturative stress and Hovey’s acculturative stress framework, this cross-sectional study examines the relationship between migratory acculturative stress and psychological distress among racial-ethnic minority US immigrants (n = 202). The multiple linear regression indicated that respondents reported moderate psychological distress, acculturative stress, social support, and COVID impact. Pre-migration and post-migration acculturative stress factors predicted higher psychological distress; however, only the subscale of socioeconomic stressors remained statistically significant once the COVID impact scale was also modeled. Future research and practice efforts need to attend to the cumulative impact of acculturative stress and pandemic disruptions inhibiting the psychological well-being of racially minoritized immigrants.

Abstract P527: Acculturation and Family History Are Associated With Sleep Disturbances in US Americans of South Asian Origin

Introduction: Sleep disorders are an important risk for cardiovascular disease. Although the effects of sleep-disordered breathing have been widely studied in general populations, there is a gap in understanding its prevalence and determinants among South Asians in the United States of America (US), a group with high risk of cardiometabolic disease that presents unique genetic burdens and acculturation issues. We examined the association of family history of sleep disturbances and acculturation in a survey of South Asian immigrants. Methods: We surveyed 105 US South Asian participants (20-75 years, 69% male, 92% born in South Asia) recruited at a community event. Respondents provided information on age, gender, acculturation (measured by the adoption of English spoken at home), and family history of severe snoring in first degree relatives. We used a modified Berlin Sleep Questionnaire, where the obesity criterion was replaced with current diabetes to identify persons with high-risk sleep disturbances and asked about severe snoring in first degree relatives to identify family history of sleep disturbances. We examined the association of high-risk sleep disturbances with family history and acculturation metrics using Chi-squared tests, followed by logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 105 participants, 28 (26.7%) were identified as high-risk for sleep disturbances. Those at high risk had a median age of 61 years, significantly older than their low-risk counterparts (median age 53; p=0.015). Of the 55% individuals who were acculturated to now speak English at home, 34% had high risk sleep disturbances as compared to 17% with sleep disturbances among those that continued to speak their native non-English language (p=0.044). Of the 10% individuals whose siblings had severe snoring problems, 50% had high risk sleep disturbances vs. 24% in those without sibling history (p = 0.079). In logistic regression models adjusting for age and gender, both sibling history (Odds Ratio 4.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 20.3, p = 0.047) and acculturation (Odds Ratio 3.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 8.6, p = 0.037) were associated with high-risk sleep disturbances. Conclusions: Acculturation as measured by adoption of English as the home language and family history of severe snoring are both associated with sleep disturbances among US South Asians in. Healthcare providers should be especially vigilant for sleep disorders in acculturated South Asian patients and those with such family and social history. Further studies are needed to understand the relationships between genetic predispositions, acculturation, and environmental factors in this population.

Examining External and Internal Acculturative Factors: Cuban-Born Women’s Experience of Well-Being in the U.S.

Objective: This study investigates the influence of acculturative stress on the mental well-being of Cuban-born women and Latina immigrants, emphasizing their distinctive experiences. Methods: Utilizing data from the National Latino Asian American Study (NLAAS), a comprehensive nationwide mental health investigation among Latino and Asian Americans, this study examined 264 Cuban women (average age: 58) who migrated to the United States and live in south Florida. The study employed Family Stress Management (FSM) framework and Bekteshi et al.’s Contextual Influence on Acculturative Stress (CIAS) framework to scrutinize the interplay of contextual factors and individual characteristics impacting adolescents’ psychological distress. Results: The findings revealed several noteworthy associations. Higher levels of church attendance, challenges in visiting family overseas, and perceived racial discrimination correlated with elevated stress levels. Furthermore, the age at which individuals immigrated was positively linked to increased stress (b = 0.18; p = 0.04), indicating that older Cuban immigrants experienced greater psychological distress upon their arrival in the United States. Additionally, higher levels of conflict between family and cultural values, as well as intensified religious beliefs, were associated with elevated distress levels. Conclusion: This study underscores the intricate interplay of diverse contextual factors in shaping the mental health and well-being of Cuban-born women. The insights derived from this research have implications for the development of tailored interventions and support systems, aiming to address the unique needs of this population.

A sociodemographic index identifies sex-related effects on insomnia in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Sex differences are related to both biological factors and the gendered environment. We constructed measures to model sex-related differences beyond binary sex. Data came from the baseline visit of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). We applied the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator penalized logistic regression of male versus female sex over sociodemographic, acculturation, and psychological factors jointly. Two "gendered indices," the gendered index of sociodemographic environment (GISE) and gendered index of psychological and sociodemographic environment, summarizing the sociodemographic environment (GISE) and psychosocial and sociodemographic environment (GIPSE) associated with sex, were calculated by summing these variables, weighted by their regression coefficients. We examined the association of these indices with insomnia, a phenotype with strong sex differences, in sex-adjusted and sex-stratified analyses. The distribution of GISE and GIPSE differed by sex with higher values in male individuals. In an association model with insomnia, male sex was associated with a lower likelihood of insomnia (odds ratio [OR] = 0.60, 95% CI [0.53, 0.67]). Including GISE in the model, the association was slightly weaker (OR = 0.63, 95% CI [0.56, 0.70]), and weaker when including instead GIPSE in the association model (OR = 0.78, 95% CI [0.69, 0.88]). Higher values of GISE and of GIPSE, more common in the male sex, were associated with a lower likelihood of insomnia, in analyses adjusted for sex (per 1 standard deviation of the index, GISE OR = 0.92, 95% CI [0.87, 0.99], GIPSE OR = 0.65, 95% CI [0.61, 0.70]). New measures such as GISE and GIPSE capture sex-related differences beyond binary sex and have the potential to better model and inform research studies of sleep health.

Acculturation and Disparities in Telemedicine Readiness: A National Study.

Telemedicine provided older adults the ability to safely seek care during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the potential impact of acculturation factors in telemedicine uptake between ethnic groups. As part of the National Health and Aging Trends Study 2018 survey, 303 participants (≥65 years) were interviewed. We assessed the impact of acculturation on telemedicine readiness by race and ethnicity. Compared to the white non-Hispanic immigrant population, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander (API) populations had significantly lower telemedicine readiness and uptake. Limited English proficiency or older age at the time of migration was associated with telemedicine unreadiness and uptake in the Hispanic and API populations. Our findings suggested that acculturation factors play a substantial role in telemedicine uptake among older adult immigrants in the United States. Therefore, acculturation factors should be considered when promoting and adopting telemedicine technologies in older adults.

BUREAUCRATIC BEHAVIOR AT THE LICENSING SERVICE OFFICE IN THE INTEGRATED LICENSING AND INVESTMENT OFFICE OF MAKASSAR CITY

This study addresses issues related to bureaucratic behavior, specifically examining the cultural, design, and structural aspects, as well as the aspects of organizational human resources policy in the context of licensing service practices at the Integrated Licensing and Investment Office in Makassar. Employing a descriptive research approach with a qualitative case study method, data collection involved in-depth interviews with various informants, direct observation at the research site, and a review of relevant documentation. The findings indicate that in terms of organizational culture, there is a perceived inclination towards a culture similar to other government agencies. Additionally, organizational culture is influenced by cultural acculturation or external factors, especially if it benefits the organization, such as through regular daily and monthly meetings. In the aspects of structure and design, the work organization is formally divided and grouped into service counters and technical teams, reflecting a design identical to mechanical organizational design. Regarding human resources policy and practices, special attention is needed, particularly in addressing issues such as inappropriate employee recruitment and the capacity building of personnel, which is still awaiting an invitation from the central government. The study also emphasizes the importance of maximizing the IKM Survey (Community Satisfaction Index) for comprehensive insights.

Suitability of Computerised and Pencil‐and‐Paper Neuropsychological Assessments in Healthy Older Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Australians: The CogSCAN Study

AbstractBackgroundComputerised neuropsychological assessments (CNAs) are proposed as more accessible and culturally appropriate alternatives to traditional pencil‐and‐paper neuropsychological assessments (PnPAs) for diagnosing dementia in diverse populations. Whilst some PnPAs have demonstrated cultural and linguistic bias, research investigating the suitability of CNAs for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals is limited, especially outside of the United States.MethodThis study compared cognitive performance in a heterogenous sample of older Australian CALD English‐speakers and an L1 English‐speaking background (ESB) sample. Cross‐sectional data were drawn from the ongoing CogSCAN Study. Participants were 212 community‐dwelling individuals aged 60‐95 years without a dementia diagnosis (159 ESB/53 CALD). Participants completed a PnPA and/or CNAs, sessions were counterbalanced accordingly. CNA sessions involved two of four commercially‐available CNAs in a randomised order. Differences in the level and pattern of cognitive performance between groups on two CNAs (CANTAB/Cogstate) and a comprehensive PnPA in English, controlling for sociodemographic and health factors, are reported here. Selection of key variables for examination were based on previous findings (PnPA) and test developer recommendations (CNAs).ResultSample characteristics are summarised in Table 1. CALD participants’ cognitive performance on individual tests (Figure 1) was largely comparable to ESB participants on PnPA and each CNA. Significant differences between groups, after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, were observed for the Boston Naming Test (PnPA; a language test widely criticised for use with CALD populations due to culturally biased stimuli) and Rapid Visual Information Processing (CANTAB; a test of attention/processing speed). Among participants who completed PnPA and Cogstate, a significant interaction between group and assessment type on global cognitive performance was observed; ESB participants outperformed CALD participants on PnPA, but not on Cogstate (Figure 2). No significant main effects or interaction were observed in PnPA versus CANTAB.ConclusionThese results showed fewer and smaller discrepancies across groups and assessment types than has been found in previous literature with other CALD samples, perhaps reflecting higher levels of English proficiency, acculturation, and education in English than previous cohorts. Work in progress is investigating the influence of linguistic and acculturation factors on cognitive performance in a larger and more diverse sample.

42 Lexical Retrieval and Acculturation in Generation Z Mexicans

Objective:The Cordoba Naming Test (CNT) is a 30-item lexical retrieval task that was developed to be administered in multiple languages. Research shows that self-identifying Mexicans residing in Mexico outperform self-identifying Mexicans that reside in the United States on the CNT. Studies indicate that the process of acculturation can influence cognitive performance. Previous studies demonstrated that Generation Z individuals (i.e., people born between 1997 and 2012) have underperformed on the CNT compared to Generation Y individuals (i.e., people born between 1981 and 1996). To our knowledge, no study has examined the influence of acculturation on Generation Z Mexicans’ CNT performance. We expected Mexicans residing in Mexico (MRM) to outperform Mexicans residing in the United States on the CNT and to report higher acculturation traits. We also predicted that acculturation would correlate with CNT performance.Participants and Methods:The present study sample consisted of 285 Generation Z psychologically and neurologically healthy Mexicans with a mean age of 20.32 (SD = 1.60). Participants were divided into three groups: MRM, Mexicans residing in the United States, and Mexican-Americans residing in the United States (MARUS). All participants completed the CNT and acculturation measure in Spanish. Acculturation traits were measured by the Abbreviated Multidimensional Acculturation Scale (AMAS). ANCOVAs were used to evaluate differences in the CNT and AMAS (i.e., Spanish language, Latino competency, Latino identity). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between acculturation on CNT performance.Results:MRM outperformed the Mexicans residing in the United States and MARUS on the CNT, p = .000, np2 = .49. The MRM group reported better Spanish language abilities compared to Mexicans residing in the United States and the MARUS groups, p = .000, np2 = .10. Additionally, MRM reported better Latino competency than the MARUS group, p = .000, np2 = .08. Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed that the MARUS’s Spanish language abilities impacted CNT performance, p = .000, r = .48. In addition, we found that Latino competency correlated with CNT performance, p’s < .05, r’s = .20-.47, in both the MRM and Mexicans residing in the United States groups. Latino identity did not significantly correlate with CNT performance in any group.Conclusions:Results confirmed that MRM individuals perform better on the CNT than Mexicans residing in the United States and MARUS. Additionally, we found that several acculturation traits correlated with Mexican groups’ CNT performance. Our research indicates that while all Generation Z individuals of Mexican heritage feel strongly connected to their Latino identity regardless of where they live, MARUS feel less competent in Spanish and Latinx culture than MRM and Mexicans residing in the United States. Future work should further explore these differences for better insight into how acculturative factors influence lexical retrieval performance. Future work with bigger sample sizes can additionally examine CNT performance and acculturation in Generation Z first-generation and non-first-generation Mexicans (e.g., second-generation, third-generation) residing in the United States.

The Role of Social Support and Acculturation Factors on Postpartum Mental Health Among Latinas in the MADRES Pregnancy Cohort.

We examined the associations between social support and postpartum mental health in 137 U.S. and foreign-born Latinas in the MADRES pregnancy cohort. We also examined whether language, years in the U.S., and country of birth moderates these relationships. Participants were administered PROMIS support measures 1month postpartum; the Perceived Stress and Postpartum Distress Measure 3, 6, and 12months postpartum; and the CESD scale 12months postpartum. Perceived stress was lower at 6months postpartum for women reporting higher emotional (p = 0.01), informational (p = 0.03), and instrumental support (p < 0.001); and lower at 12months postpartum for women reporting higher emotional support (p = 0.01). Distress at 6months was lower in women reporting higher emotional support (p = 0.03). Interactions suggest that associations were stronger for mothers that speak Spanish, spent fewer years in the U.S., and were born in Central America.

Acculturation in Context and Brain Health in Older Latino Adults: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study.

Latinos are at higher risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease than non-Latino Whites. Acculturation factors may influence this risk, yet there are few studies that have examined associations of acculturation, particularly in the context of socioenvironmental and familial factors, and brain health in older Latinos. To examine potential associations between acculturation in context and brain health in older Latinos. Using three previously established composites of acculturation-in-context, (acculturation-related: nativity status, language preference, acculturation scores; contextually-related socioenvironmental: perceived discrimination, loneliness/social isolation, social network size; and familism), and diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI), associations with white matter structural integrity were examined in 92 Latino adults without dementia participating in one of three epidemiological studies of aging. Linear regression models were used to test associations with DTI-derived metrics (fractional anisotropy, FA; trace) as separate outcomes and acculturation composite scores as individual predictors, while adjusting for age, sex, education, scanner, and white matter hyperintensities (voxelwise and total volumes normalized by intracranial volume). Higher scores on the socioenvironmental composite were associated with lower FA in two clusters of left-hemisphere connections. Cluster 1 was dominated by both short association pathways connecting frontal regions and projection pathways connecting frontal regions with the thalamus. Cluster 2 was dominated by long association pathways connecting parietal, frontal, and temporal regions. This study of older Latino adults demonstrated an association between reduced brain white matter integrity and contextually related socioenvironmental experiences known to increase risk of MCI and Alzheimer's disease.

Radiation Therapy Knowledge and Health Literacy among Culturally Diverse Patients with Prostate Cancer Treated at a Safety-Net Hospital.

Shared decision making is integral to the physician-patient relationship for radiotherapy (RT) patients. It is implicit that patients both comprehend and retain information explained during consultation. However, quality and quantity of patient knowledge following this visit is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate post-consultation RT knowledge and health literacy among a diverse group of patients. Participants were patients ≥18 years old who received consultation for definitive or salvage RT to the prostate gland/fossa between April 2021 and January 2023 at an urban safety-net hospital. Following consultation, patients completed the Radiation Oncology Knowledge Assessment Survey (ROKAS), designed to measure patient understanding of proposed RT treatment (e.g., treatment frequency, length, safety) and possible short- and long-term side effects (SE). Additional measures included patients' health literacy, health numeracy (numerical medical concepts), acculturation (assimilation to the dominant culture), and socioeconomic factors. ROKAS was administered in both English and Spanish with Spanish-speaking patients offered medical translation if desired. Bivariate Pearson correlations were conducted to examine the relationships between independent variables and post-consultation RT knowledge. Two-sided t-tests were conducted to examine differences in patients' knowledge by language. Overall, 39 ROKAS were completed by 24 English-speaking and 15 Spanish-speaking patients (mean age 64.4 [SD 6.8], range 52-79). The majority (93%) of patients 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that they understood all the RT information presented. However, only 70% of the RT questions were answered correctly with 26% of patients answering all RT questions correctly. Similarly, 95% of patients 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' with knowing the side effects of their proposed treatment, but only 71% and 74% of short- and long-term SE questions, respectively, were answered correctly. Higher health literacy (p = 0.04) and health numeracy (p = 0.001) were significantly correlated with better understanding of short-term SE, but not with RT knowledge or long-term SE. Spanish-speaking patients had significantly lower scores of health literacy (p = 0.001) and understanding of long-term (p = 0.01), but not short-term SE. There is a significant gap between perceived and measured knowledge of RT treatment and SE in patients who receive consultation for RT to the prostate gland/fossa. Health literacy was significantly associated with improved knowledge of RT and short-term SE. Spanish-speaking patients had poorer understanding of long-term SE than English-speaking patients. Efforts to identify gaps in patient health literacy are needed to target those at risk and ensure that culturally diverse patient populations can engage in shared decision making with their providers.

Perceptions of the Sense of Security, Belonging, and Acculturative Stress among International Students in China during COVID-19 Outbreak-An Empirical Analysis.

Understanding the cross-cultural adaptation of students studying in foreign countries by exploring acculturative stress factors is crucial to ensure the smooth academic performance of the students and, in turn, to enhance the global reputation of their universities. Therefore, it is an area of interest for the authorities (Ministry) and the corresponding management of universities. Using a random sample of 138 international students in China, descriptive and logistic regressions were conducted to assess the levels and influence of acculturative stress factors on cross-cultural adaptation, specifically on international students' sense of security and belonging during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The results revealed that students were most concerned about homesickness, which obtained the highest mean score. The regression results indicated that the perception of fear and discrimination significantly impacted international students' sense of security. The perception of fear, guilt, and how long the student stayed in China also significantly affected the sense of belonging. We argue that the reflections provided herein are essential for universities to improve how they manage and handle international students to mitigate the effects of acculturative stress, particularly when additional stressful conditions are present, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sociodemographic, health-related, and acculturation determinants of physical activity participation among Asian American women

The purpose of this study was to assess Asian American (AsAm) women’s physical activity (PA) and identify predictors (sociodemographic, health-related, and acculturation) of leisure, transportation, and work PA (LPA, TPA, and WPA; respectively). We used data from 1605 AsAm women in the 2011–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PA was self-reported as minutes of weekly LPA, TPA, and WPA. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to build models for meeting the recommendation of ≥150 min of weekly moderate-vigorous intensity PA for each PA domain.About 34% of AsAms met the aerobic PA recommendation through LPA, 16% through WPA, and 15% through TPA. However, less than half of AsAm women met the aerobic PA recommendation through work, transportation, or leisure PA. For the work domain, odds of meeting the aerobic PA recommendation were lower for those who were older (p <.001), had lower body mass index (p =.011), or were non-English speaking (p <.001). For the transportation domain, odds of meeting the aerobic PA recommendation were higher in those who were older (p =.008), were single (p =.017), had lower systolic blood pressure (p =.009), or were living in the US for <15 years (p =.034). For the leisure domain, odds of meeting the aerobic PA recommendation were higher in those with higher education (p <.001), were single (p =.016), had better perceived health status (p-value <0.001), or were US-born (p <.001). Sociodemographics, health-related, and acculturation factors influenced PA differently for each domain. Findings from this study can inform approaches to increase PA across different domains.