Acculturation Gap Research Articles

Cultural stressors, youth coping, and mother-adolescent conflict.

This study examined the associations between cultural stressors (i.e., foreigner-based discrimination and acculturation gap conflict) and mother-adolescent relational conflict and the moderating effects of youth coping on these relations. Within a sample of 175 Latinx mothers (Mage = 41.84 years; 88% born in Mexico) and adolescents (Mage = 12.89 years; 52% female; 87% U.S. born), we used actor-partner interdependence models to test the dyadic associations of one's cultural stress experiences with their own (i.e., self-effect) and the other family member's (i.e., mother or adolescent effect) perception of relational conflict, and we examined youth coping as a moderator. Adolescents' experiences of cultural stress were positively related to their own perception of relational conflict but not their mother's. Amid higher maternal discrimination experiences, higher youth shift-and-persist coping was related to lower youth-reported relational conflict. Higher youth discrimination experiences were correlated with higher reports of youth support-seeking, but youth support-seeking did not moderate the relation between cultural stress and relational conflict. Shift-and-persist coping may play a critical role in exacerbating or mitigating the harmful relations between cultural stress and relational conflict, depending upon whether the cultural stressor is external (i.e., foreigner-based discrimination) or family-based (acculturation gap conflict). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Different perceptual worlds: Parent and youth perspectives on parenting outcome trajectories from a Latino family-based program.

Discrepancies between parent and youth perceptions of their relationship are a common aspect of generational acculturation gaps influencing immigrant families. Programs designed to strengthen parenting practices among immigrant Latino families commonly address immigration stresses, including differences between parent and youth perceptions, but little is known about discrepancies in their appraisals of program effects on parenting behavior. A randomized trial was conducted examining effects on parent behavior of a program for immigrant families with youth aged 10-14, developed through community-based participatory research principles. Families (346 parents and youth) were recruited by organizations serving Latino families in a Midwestern metropolitan area and randomly assigned to the eight-session psychoeducation and skill-building program or a waitlist control. Parents and youth completed self-report measures at pre-intervention, post-intervention (4 months), and a 6-month follow-up regarding parents' expression of acceptance, efforts to solicit information about the child's experiences, and consistency of discipline, key foci of the program. Based on social cognition theory, the study focused on possible differences in parents' and youths' perceptions of change in parenting behavior. Parents in the treatment group reported pre-post improved acceptance, consistent discipline, and solicitation, whereas youth reported improvement only in parental solicitation, a pattern maintained at follow-up. In the control group, the only change was youth-reported reduction in parental acceptance. Parents' perceptions of improvement are encouraging, but overall lack of improvements from the youth perspective poses a potential problem for impact on parent-child relations. Interventions may need to target both parent and youth cognitions about behavior changes directly.

Acculturation gaps among Afghan refugee families in Canada: Implications for family relationships, adaptation outcomes, and subjective wellbeing of emerging adults

The present study applied and extended the Acculturation Gap-Distress Model to a sample of Afghan emerging adults and their parents living in Canada. Using two different methods to operationalize the “gap”, the impact of acculturation gaps on family relationships, adaptation outcomes, and subjective wellbeing of Afghan emerging adults was examined. Acculturation was evaluated concerning both Canadian and Afghan cultures, and independently for the language, identity, and behavioural domains of acculturation. The following three themes emerged in the results: a) Emerging adults’ proficiency in the Farsi language and higher identification with Afghan culture are important factors behind their family relationships, adaptation outcomes, and subjective wellbeing. b) Parents’ identification with the Canadian culture is an important factor behind emerging adults’ psychological adaptation and subjective wellbeing. c) The parent-emerging adult gap in Canadian identity acculturation was the only consequential gap associated with emerging adults’ lower reports of family cohesion.

Improving Immigrant Adolescent Mental Health: The Role of Cultural Identity

As immigration to the United States continues to rise, so does the population of second-generation immigrant children. They often face acculturation stressors, the psychological response of distinct ethnic groups coming into contact with the mainstream culture and the conflicts that may arise, in the face of a new culture, along with culture gaps with their parents as they struggle to find their place in American society. As these stressors proliferate even into their teenage years, youth mental health is at risk. Thus, this review aims to synthesize the best available evidence surrounding immigrant acculturation gaps, parental and peer influence, and cultural identity, along with the impact on mental health. Specifically, this paper seeks to answer the question: to what extent does preserving cultural identity benefit the mental health of second-generation immigrant adolescents in the United States? Of the literature reviewed, I find strong evidence that a stronger cultural identity has positive effects on immigrant youth mental health and can help mitigate acculturative pressures as adolescents immigrate to the U.S. I also examine differing perspectives on the negative role cultural identity plays in navigating adolescence, but overall, the research suggests a benefit of cultural identity on mental health.

Acculturation Gap Between Two Generation Immigrants: An Analysis of Fresh Off the Boat

Acculturation Gap Between Two Generation Immigrants: An Analysis of Fresh Off the Boat

Immigrant Chinese parents in New York Chinatowns: Acculturation gap and psychological adjustment.

Immigrant Chinese parents in New York Chinatowns: Acculturation gap and psychological adjustment.

Parenting in a new land: the influence of English language proficiency on immigrant parents’ experiences with intergenerational challenges

Abstract The purpose of this survey study was to explore how the English language proficiency of Asian and Latin American immigrant parents influenced their levels of intergenerational challenges as reflected in their experiences with diminished parental authority, role reversal, acculturation gap, value discrepancy, family conflict, and emotional distance. The 86 participants were Asian and Latin American immigrant parents from eight classes at three adult ESL programs in Southern California. They reported lower levels of intergenerational challenges than was expected based on the extant literature, and their experiences were quite similar regardless of their adult ESL class levels. Overall, the parents from different ethnic backgrounds shared more commonalities than differences as language and cultural learners raising children in a new land. This study sheds light on the experience of immigrant parents raising children in ethnic enclaves and pushes against common discourses about immigrants’ acculturation. The findings suggest that preserving their linguistic and cultural heritage has become increasingly important to many immigrant communities and may play a crucial role in how they navigate their roles as parents.

Acculturation gap conflicts and self-rated health among Hispanic emerging adults.

Emerging adulthood is a distinct and challenging developmental stage of life. It may be particularly stressful for Hispanic emerging adults due to various cultural stressors. However, there is little research on the impact of one particular cultural stressor, the acculturation gap. Therefore, this study aims to examine whether acculturation gap conflicts are associated with self-rated health. Participants were recruited in Arizona and Florida, and 200 Hispanic emerging adults (ages 18-25) completed a cross-sectional survey. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression. Coefficients from a hierarchical multiple regression model indicated that higher levels of acculturation gap conflicts were associated with lower self-rated health after controlling for psychological stress and other demographic variables. This is the first study on acculturation gap conflicts and self-rated health among Hispanics. Findings from this study indicate that acculturation gap conflicts are associated with self-rated health and merit further investigation as they may have implications for health interventions targeting Hispanics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The Effects of Parent-Adolescent Acculturation Gaps on Adolescent Lifestyle Behaviors: Moderating Role of Family Communication.

This study examined 1) associations between parent-adolescent acculturation gaps in Americanism and Hispanicism and adolescents' lifestyle behaviors (fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity), and 2) the moderating roles of adolescent- and parent-reported family communication on these associations. Hispanic adolescents who have overweight or obesity (n=280; 52% female, 13.0±0.8 years old) and their parents (88% female, 44.9±6.5 years old) completed baseline measures on acculturation, family communication, weekly physical activity, and daily fruit and vegetable intake as part of their participation in a family-based health promotion efficacy trial. Acculturation gaps were calculated by taking the product of adolescent and parent scores for each subscale (Americanism and Hispanicism). We conducted multiple linear regression analyses with three-way interaction terms (e.g., parent Americanism x adolescent Americanism x family communication) to assess for moderation. Family communication significantly moderated the association between parent-adolescent acculturation gaps in Americanism and adolescent fruit and vegetable intake. For families with low adolescent-reported family communication, parent-adolescent discrepancies in Americanism were associated with lower adolescent fruit and vegetable intake whereas there were no significant associations for families with high family communication. There were no effects on weekly minutes of physical activity. Acculturation gaps in Hispanicism were not significantly associated with either outcome. Findings highlight the importance of parent-adolescent acculturation gaps and family communication on fruit and vegetable intake for Hispanic adolescents. Targeting parent-adolescent acculturation gaps for families with low levels of communication may be important to improve dietary behaviors in Hispanic adolescents, who are already disproportionately affected by obesity.

A Concurrent Mixed-Methods Study of Midwestern Latino Parents Participation and Preferences for Parenting Education Programs.

Parenting programs are an important tool that can provide support for parents and families and improve family functioning. This concurrent nested QUANT + qual mixed methods study sought to better understand parenting education program participation and examine format, delivery, and content preferences for parenting programs among Latino parents in Nebraska. Results from a statewide survey (N = 173) indicated that 31.4% of parents in the sample had participated in a parenting program. Significant predictors of participation in parenting education programs included being unmarried, not working full-time, having a higher income, and having excellent or very good health. Major barriers to participation included lack of information about available programs and logistical concerns. Focus group participants discussed key program design concerns which included: (1) cultural clashes related to acculturation gaps between parents and children; (2) cultural relevance of programming; (3) logistical considerations; and (4) the inclusion of technology to enhance parenting. Overall, participants were particularly interested in group-based learning, flexible scheduling, and improving the cultural relevance of programs. Implications for program design and outreach to improve Latino parents' access and willingness to participate in parenting education programs are presented. Future research should explore the effectiveness of parenting program implementation and dissemination with Latino parents in rural communities, if there are differences in the benefits of parenting programs by Latino subgroup or level of acculturation, and assess the impact of near-peers in the delivery of parenting programs with Latinos.

Home is Where the Heart is: Implications of Dyadic Acculturation for Migrant Couples' Personal and Relational Well-Being.

Acculturation-the process through which people adopt the sociocultural values of their heritage and settlement cultures-is a complex experience, particularly within family structures. Although the consequences of acculturation gaps between parents and children have been studied extensively, the consequences for migrant couples are often overlooked. We propose that acculturation gaps in migrant couples are likely detrimental for personal and relational well-being. To test this, a study of 118 migrant couples with the same heritage culture and now living in the United Kingdom was conducted. Acculturation gaps in our studies were conceptualized as both within person and within couple, and their impact on personal well-being and relationship quality was tested using Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). Results suggest that although within-couple acculturation gaps negatively impacted personal well-being, they were not necessarily harmful to relationship quality. Interestingly, within-person acculturation gaps had dyadic consequences, with one person specifically contributing to their partner's personal well-being.

44.2 CHATogether: Virtual Theater Productions between Adolescents and Their Parents Narrow Acculturative Gaps and Address Mental Health Stigma

Acculturation gaps often refer to the significant discrepancy between an immigrant parent and their children due to communication dysfunction and differential cultural values. Such gaps may turn into intergenerational conflicts during the pandemic when a family is packed in a cabin-fever household. Acculturation gaps have shown to be associated with depression and other mental health problems in adolescents of immigrant families. To address this, we introduce a digital theater program (DTP) as part of the initiatives from a co-op organization, Yale Compassionate Home, Action Together (CHATogether).

Refugee parents’ experiences of coming to Sweden: A qualitative study

Each year, millions of people worldwide are forced to leave their homes. Many of those affected are families. There are already a considerable number of initiatives designed to support refugees who are resettling in new countries and cultures. However, few are promotive interventions aiming to support parents and thereby their children through the extraordinary challenges they face. To develop a culturally adaptive intervention, more knowledge about how refugee parents from different countries perceive and handle these challenges is needed. This study explores refugee parents’ own perspectives on the obstacles, challenges and opportunities they faced during their first years in Sweden to guide the future development of promotive interventions for refugee parents. Interviews were conducted with Arabic, Kurdish, and Somali-speaking refugee parents (n = 28; 19 mothers, 9 fathers). The interviews were examined using content analysis. One overarching theme emerged; “The new language is the key for entering social networks and society, and for helping your child in a new country”. The new language was viewed as a key to integration, and to mastering parenthood in the new context. This theme consisted of four categories; “parents’ motivation and hope as driving forces,” “navigating among past and present culture and values”, “loneliness as a risk factor” and “a new way of being a parent and relating to an acculturation gap”. These findings may help guide the development of parenting interventions for refugees, to promote integration and well-being among parents and their children.

The acculturation gap of parent-child relationships in immigrant families: A national study.

We examined the acculturation processes involving intergenerational consonance and dissonance in parent-child relationships in U.S. immigrant families. This study is important because we lack national studies that examine the association between acculturation processes and intergenerational relationships among diverse racial/ethnic groups in immigrant families. Using national data from Add Health with diverse race/ethnicity, we measured acculturation levels by immigrant generation, age of arrival, and length of time. Intergenerational consonance (the degree to which children and parents share the same values and activities) was measured by family cohesion and sharing meals (specifically dinners) with parents. Intergenerational dissonance (the degree to which parents and children differ in expected norms and parents lose authority over their children) was measured by parent-child conflict and parental control. Ordinary least square, binary logistic, ordered logistic, and Poisson regressions were conducted depending on the nature of the four dependent variables. We found robust evidence that adolescents of the second immigrant generation acculturate more rapidly than those of the first generation and their immigrant parents creating a "gap" in intergenerational relationships. Thus, second-generation adolescents experience lower levels of family cohesion, less frequency of sharing weekly dinners with parents, less parental control of adolescents' activities, and more serious arguments about their behaviors with their parents than their first-generation counterparts. This is the new evidence that is based on national data, across multiple measures of intergenerational relationships, and holds for diverse racial and ethnic groups. The findings underscore the importance of developing culturally informed interventions supporting healthy parent-child relationships in immigrant families.

Depressive symptoms, family cohesion, and acculturation gap conflicts among Latinx emerging adults living in the United States

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined associations of family cohesion and acculturation gap conflicts with depressive symptoms, as well as the moderation effect of family cohesion on the association between acculturation gap conflicts and depressive symptoms among Latinx emerging adults.BackgroundIn addition to normative developmental stressors (e.g., making long‐term career decisions), many Latinx emerging adults face additional sociocultural stressors (acculturative stress, ethnic discrimination) that put them at risk of experiencing adverse psychological outcomes. However, acculturation gap conflicts have not been examined much in this population.MethodData from a cross‐sectional survey were collected from 200 participants from Arizona (n = 99) and Florida (n = 101). Hierarchical multiple regression and moderation analyses were conducted to examine the association between acculturation gap conflicts and depressive symptoms and the moderating effects of family cohesion of that respective association.ResultsHigher family cohesion was associated with lower depressive symptoms. Conversely, higher acculturation gap conflicts were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Moderation analyses indicated that family cohesion moderated the association between acculturation gap conflicts and depressive symptoms.ConclusionThis study adds to the limited literature on acculturation gap conflicts among Latinx emerging adults and advances our understanding of the role of family cohesion as a modifiable moderator.ImplicationsIt is critical to identify culturally relevant and modifiable determinants that can have beneficial or adverse associations with the mental health of Latinx emerging adults. Findings from this study have the potential to inform intervention for mental health targeting Latinx emerging adults.

Reconsidering the "Acculturation Gap": Mother-Adolescent Cultural Adaptation Mis/Matches and Positive Psychosocial Outcomes among Mexican-Origin Families.

Previous studies have linked parent-child cultural adaptation mismatches with adolescents' maladjustment without addressing how intergenerational mis/matches are related to positive aspects of adolescent development and parental outcomes. Using data from 604 Mexican-origin families (adolescent sample:54%female, Mage = 12.41, range = 11 to 15), response surface analysis was conducted to investigate how mother-child mis/matches in cultural adaptation (acculturation, enculturation, English and Spanish proficiency) are associated with adolescents' and mothers' resilience and life meaning. Adolescents and mothers reported greater resilience and meaning when they matched at higher, versus lower, levels of acculturation, enculturation and English proficiency; adolescents reported more resilience when they were more acculturated than mothers. The findings provide a strengths-based understanding of parent-child cultural adaptation mis/matches and elucidate how Mexican-origin families thrive in the cultural adaptation process.

Examining the impact of the Cultural Gap Narrative on Family Functioning and Youth Substance Use among the Health Study/Study of latino Youth (HCHS/SOL Youth) population.

The acculturation gap theory provides a complex illustration of how cultural orientations affect health behaviors among adolescents, by assuming that familial cultural orientation gaps lead to compromised family functioning and children adopting negative health behaviors. This analysis used three methods to conceptualize cultural gaps to examine the relationships between familial cultural orientation gaps and family functioning and substance use susceptibility among the Hispanic Community Children's Health Study/Study of Hispanic/Latino Youth population. Results did not support the assumptions behind the acculturation gap theory. The methods used to conceptualize cultural gaps did not illustrate consistent underlying trends when measuring the relationship between cultural gaps and substance use susceptibility. There was no evidence of mediation on substance use susceptibility by perceived family functioning for either cultural domains using each method. This analysis underscores the need to refine the framework behind the acculturation gap theory and how cultural gaps are measured among Hispanic/Latino youth.

Cultural attributes of suicidal ideation among older immigrants: a qualitative study

BackgroundSuicide is a large and growing public health problem. Little is known about the attributes of suicidal ideation (SI) in the contexts of immigration. This qualitative study aims to explore immigration- and acculturation-related attributes of SI among older immigrants.MethodsA qualitative semi-structured interview design. Interview were conducted with 57 older Chinese immigrants in Chicago with self-reported SI in the past month.ResultsIn addition to attributes of SI which have been well documented in the literature, we identified immigration- and acculturation-related attributes, including linguistic and cultural barriers of being integrated to the receiving communities, acculturation gaps in intergenerational support, and uselessness.ConclusionsFindings of the study highlight the intersectionality of race, culture, and aging regarding SI, which are essential to improve recognition and understanding of SI among immigrant populations.

Come abroad with me: the role of partner characteristics and couple acculturation gaps on individual psychological adjustment

ABSTRACT Although many individuals migrate to a new country with their romantic partner, most acculturation research has focused on individual factors related to migration-related psychological adjustment without considering couple influences. The current research investigates traditional predictors of psychological adaptation – mainstream and heritage acculturation, motivation to migrate, and perceived discrimination – from the perspective of both migrants and their partners. Participants were 151 French migrant couples (n = 302) living in Canada. We conducted mixed-effects regression analyses (HLM) predicting psychological adaptation within an actor-partner interdependence modelling framework. In line with past results, actors’ motivation to migrate and mainstream acculturation were positively associated with psychological adaptation, whereas perceived discrimination was negatively associated with it. Contrary to our hypotheses, the actor’s heritage acculturation was negatively associated with psychological adaptation. Above and beyond these individual-level predictors, our results revealed a positive effect of partner’s motivation to migrate and a negative effect of partner’s perceived discrimination. Finally, acculturation gaps were significantly associated with psychological adaptation. Mainstream acculturation gaps seem to be detrimental to migrants’ psychological adaptation, whereas heritage acculturation gaps were associated with greater psychological adaptation. These findings underscore the necessity to better understand how romantic relationship dynamics following migration play out in individual-level migration outcomes.

Disentangling acculturation and enculturation intergenerational gaps: Examining mother-youth value discrepancies andmental health among Mexican-descent college students.

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. 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). 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. 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.