Acculturation Constructs Research Articles

Abstract B072: Physical activity among South Asian mother-daughter dyads residing in the U.S.: Influence of U.S. and Asian acculturation

Abstract Background: Engaging regularly in physical activity (PA) can lower cancer risks. Existing literature shows that South Asian women and girls residing in the U.S. have low moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA); however, there is little research on the influence of unique sociocultural determinants such as acculturation on PA. Even less is known about the association between acculturation and PA in South Asian mother-daughter dyads, especially where the two have different acculturation levels. Methods: Data came from the baseline assessment of the South Asians Active Together (SAATH) trial, a two-arm randomized clinical trial of an 8-week culturally adapted intervention to increase PA among South Asian mothers and daughters. Mainstream U.S. acculturation and Asian acculturation were measured for each separately using the Suinn-Lew Asian Self Identity Acculturation Scale (SL-ASIA; range 1-5, higher scores indicate higher acculturation). (Mainstream U.S. acculturation corresponds to the “Western” acculturation construct in SL-ASIA; here we refer to that same concept using a more nuanced term that better reflects the complexities of acculturation for immigrants in the U.S.) PA variables include PA barriers, PA self-efficacy, self-reported transportation and leisure-time MVPA, and accelerometer-measured MVPA (minutes/day). Using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) in R (version 4.4) and controlling for age as a covariate, we tested dyadic associations between mothers’ and daughters’ mainstream U.S. and Asian acculturation and PA variables. Results: The baseline assessment included 126 mother-daughter dyads. On average, participants’ Asian acculturation score (M=4.5, SD=0.6 for mothers; M=3.9, SD=0.8 for daughters) was higher than U.S. acculturation score (M=3.1, SD=1.0 for mothers; M=3.4, SD=0.8 for daughters). In APIM analyses, for daughters, higher U.S. acculturation was associated with lower PA barriers (β=-0.20), and higher Asian acculturation was associated with higher PA self-efficacy (β=0.18). For mothers, higher U.S. acculturation was associated with lower PA barriers (β=-0.20) and higher PA self-efficacy (β=0.21). For mothers, higher Asian acculturation was also associated with lower PA barriers (β=-0.23), higher PA self-efficacy (β=0.36), and higher accelerometer-measured MVPA (β=26.71). Interestingly, mothers’ Asian acculturation was also positively associated with daughters’ PA self-efficacy (β=0.16). Conclusion: We observed positive associations of both U.S. and Asian acculturation with several PA-related variables among South Asian mothers and daughters, which underscores the importance of bilinear acculturation measurements and influences on PA. Mothers’ Asian acculturation was associated with daughters’ PA self-efficacy, which merits further exploration. Citation Format: Milkie Vu, Soyang Kwon, Nicola Lancki, Rency Roy, Mudita Rastogi, David Marquez, Namratha Kandula. Physical activity among South Asian mother-daughter dyads residing in the U.S.: Influence of U.S. and Asian acculturation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B072.

Acculturation, social support and suicidal ideation among Asian immigrants in the United States.

This study examined suicidal ideation among Asian immigrant adults in the United States, with consideration of the roles of acculturation and social support. Using the 2002-2003 National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), I conducted latent class analysis with measures of U.S. cultural orientation and Asian ethnic affiliation to create a multidimensional construct of acculturation. Three acculturation groups were identified (assimilated, integrated, separated) that showed different associations with suicidal ideation. Then I analyzed how the association between acculturation status and suicidal ideation is moderated by social support, distinguishing between perceived versus received support. Findings revealed that the buffering role of social support is gender-specific, with perceived support from friends reducing the risk of suicidal ideation only among assimilated women. Implications for future research include further application of acculturation as a multidimensional construct to various health outcomes and behavior as well as to other immigrant subgroups. Public health intervention efforts aimed at preventing suicide should endeavor to promote perceptions of an available social support system among immigrants and aid in establishing sources of support outside the family particularly for immigrant women.

Assimilation and Acculturation in Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) Health and Well-Being

Our recent scoping review revealed a general scarcity of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) research, and a disproportionately high number of studies on different interpretations of “culture.” Because this area appears to be significant in NHOPI health and well-being, we examined the applicability and effect of assimilation and acculturation on this population. The literature suggests that NHOPI assimilation is not pervasive, given wide-spread, even institutionalized discrimination and bias in housing and employment. NHOPI may also resist assimilation for a variety of reasons, including ethnic and national pride. Knowing how acculturation may improve or compromise NHOPI health and well-being is constrained by a lack of studies on traditional modalities and practices compared against Western or non-indigenous methods. Moreover, even if we could unequivocally identify health disparities that arise from low assimilation or “bad” acculturation, forced assimilation and acculturation into the dominant culture may be both unethical and ineffective. Assimilation and acculturation constructs also seem inadequate in addressing NHOPI health disparities caused by structural and social barriers. NHOPI cultural and physical assimilation may be challenging, due to differences in race, socioeconomic status, and distinguishing traditions. For many NHOPI, acculturation may even be irrelevant. A highly acculturated indigenous person, for example, may still encounter the same discrimination, racism and challenges as a low-acculturated peer. Common acculturation models are also limited in that they do not reveal factors that predict specific negative outcomes, nor do they offer exact solutions. In addition, there is no universal consensus on acculturation’s indicators, measures and proxies. However, the following three processes in acculturation seem significant in NHOPI health and well-being. Ghettoization induced by living on an island with relatively poor infrastructure and limited resources and opportunities may in itself compromise health and introduce health disparities. Even those NHOPI who have left their island homelands may experience isolation in poor and underserved neighborhoods due to social and economic factors. NHOPI may also pursue separation by maintaining traditional behaviors and practices, and reject those from the dominant culture, even if more effective and beneficial. Keywords: Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, NHOPI, health disparities, assimilation, acculturation, enculturation, NHOPI culture, separation, isolation, marginalization, ghettoization

Dietary Acculturation among Puerto Rican Adults Varies by Acculturation Construct and Dietary Measure

BackgroundThe role of acculturation in dietary behaviors among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States remains unclear. Discrepancies may be explained by variations in acculturation constructs or ethnicity-specific dynamics. ObjectiveWe aimed to compare relations between 3 different acculturation constructs with dietary quality and patterns among Puerto Ricans in the mainland United States. MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data with 1194–1380 Puerto Ricans, aged 45–75 y. Acculturation was measured with the use of a language-based scale (0–100; higher score denotes more English use), a psychological-based scale (0–50; higher score denotes stronger US orientation), and years living in the mainland United States. Diet quality scores (higher scores denote healthier diet) were defined with the use of the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI) and the Mediterranean Diet Score (MeDS). Three dietary patterns were previously derived with the use of principal components analysis. Adjusted multivariable regression models tested the association of each acculturation construct with diet quality score or pattern. Interaction terms were included for income or education status. ResultsPsychological-based acculturation, but not the other constructs, was positively associated with AHEI (β ± SE: 0.013 ± 0.004; P = 0.002) and MeDS (0.009 ± 0.005; P = 0.041). Income, but not education, moderated this association (P = 0.03), with higher diet quality observed with higher income (>$25,000) and stronger US orientation. All constructs were inversely associated with a traditional dietary pattern, with the language-based scale being stronger (z score β ± SE: −0.160 ± 0.032; P < 0.0001) than the psychological-based scale (−0.097 ± 0.028; P = 0.001) or years living in the mainland United States (−0.058 ± 0.028; P = 0.041). No associations were observed for the Western or sweets/desserts patterns. ConclusionsIn Puerto Rican adults, stronger psychological US orientation was associated with higher diet quality, particularly with higher income. More Spanish use, stronger psychological Puerto Rican orientation, and shorter length of mainland-US residency were associated with traditional dietary patterns. Appropriate diet-related acculturation constructs should be carefully considered among Hispanics/Latinos. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01231958.

Developing a Research Agenda on the Political Economy of Immigrants' Oral Health.

Acculturation has been widely used in health research to explain oral health disparities between immigrants and their native born counterparts. However, immigrants' oral health studies have not clearly defined the acculturation construct. Also, a narrow focus on cultural oral health behaviours is likely to be inadequate for explaining immigrants' oral health inequities, which are also rooted in societal, political and economic factors produced across the globe. In this brief report, we discuss the use of the acculturation framework in the dental public health literature, note gaps in this approach, and argue for the need to incorporate the political economy lens to help better understand the complexities of immigrants' oral health.

An Examination of the Association of Multiple Acculturation Measures with Asthma Status Among Elementary School Students in El Paso, Texas.

Some researchers posit that the lower prevalence of asthma among those of Mexican descent may result from an under-diagnosis and recommend a critical appraisal of factors related to race/ethnicity, like acculturation, and its influence on asthma status. Survey data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression to examine the association of child's asthma status (no wheezing/no asthma symptoms, possible undiagnosed and diagnosed asthma) with measures of acculturation among Hispanic students (n = 1095). In this population, the prevalence of diagnosed asthma (15%) was higher than both national (7.6%) and state (6.8%) averages for Hispanic children in 2012. While bivariate analyses showed significant associations for asthma status and measures of acculturation, multivariate analyses did not. There is an underestimated burden of illness among Hispanic children in El Paso County. More research on the suitability of acculturation constructs is needed to delineate what they actually measure and how acculturation influences asthma status.

Acculturation Versus Cultural Retention: The Interactive Impact of Acculturation and Co-ethnic Ties on Substance Use Among Chinese Students in the United States.

Acculturation is often found to increase substance use among immigrants in the U.S., but such effect may depend on how immigrants are attached to their co-ethnic community. Meanwhile, the high socioeconomic status of some new immigrant groups also challenges the classical assumption that ties to co-ethnic community are associated with deviance. With a sample (n = 960) collected from a population of Chinese students in a large public university in the U.S., we tested how do the interplays between acculturation and co-ethnic ties affect substance use. This study establishes that: (1) different dimensions of acculturation have opposite effects on substance use; (2) acculturative stress does not explain the association between acculturation and substance use; (3) acculturation increases the likelihood of substance use only when one has weak attachment to their co-ethnic community. The findings are consistent for three dependent variables: smoking, drinking, and drunkenness, and for the different constructs of acculturation and co-ethnic ties. Ties to co-ethnic community may provide important social support for immigrants, while acculturation may alleviate the insular subculture that promotes at-risk behaviors. We encourage policy makers to consider the cooperative nature of acculturation and cultural retention for the improvement of health among this growing population.

Acculturation and Its Discontents: A Case for Bringing Anthropology Back into the Conversation.

Anthropologists' contribution to the study of cultural change is urgent in light of the increasing number of people of different backgrounds who are migrating around the globe and settling in new communities, and the opportunities and challenges that come along with that process. By examining the anthropological literature on acculturation going back to the 1936 Memorandum by Redfield, Linton and Herskovits, this paper reviews and assesses the discipline's perspective on acculturation, and lays out the case for why it is critical for anthropologists to re-engage the concept. Although other disciplines, particularly psychology and sociology, have dominated the field of acculturation research more recently, they mostly have done so with a narrow focus. While it is important to acknowledge the pitfalls of anthropology's past study of acculturation, there are important features of the acculturation construct that continue to be relevant. Among these are the study of acculturation as a process that is multidimensional; the investigation of how different kinds of power affect the acculturation process; the impacts of attitudes, actions and policies of the receiving group on how acculturation proceeds; the role of "real history" in understanding processes of acculturation; and the global perspective on these processes. We suggest ways in which anthropologists can reignite the field of acculturation research by engaging with Redfield, Linton and Herskovits' framework and subsequent anthropological literature.

Hispanic Career Success: The Role of Acculturation

Hispanics are currently the largest ethnic group in the United States with over 52 million people and approximately 17% of the population. To date, Hispanics are disproportionately underrepresented among professional and leadership ranks. Surprisingly, there is still a lack of research done on employment issues for this important group. Given the scarcity of research and theory focusing on the careers of Hispanic professionals in the United States, as well as acknowledging the importance of applying more focused attention to how cultural variables, including acculturation constructs, are related to the career development of Hispanics we advance a theoretical framework of career success for Hispanics. In particular, we examine how cultural factors associated with the Hispanic acculturation experience may uniquely affect Hispanics in their professional roles. We provide testable propositions for scholars who are interested in this ethnic group. As well, armed with this insight, it is our hope that organizational leaders and decision-makers can better support Hispanics in achieving more successful and satisfying careers.

A meta-analysis of acculturation/enculturation and mental health.

This meta-analytic study examined the relationship among the constructs of acculturation, enculturation, and acculturation strategies (i.e., integration, assimilation, separation, marginalization), and mental health. Data from 325 studies (163 journal articles and 162 dissertation studies) were analyzed using a random-effects model, across a broad spectrum of negative mental health (NM: depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and negative affect) and positive mental health (PM: self-esteem, satisfaction with life, and positive affect). Overall, acculturation was favorably associated with both NM (negatively) and PM (positively), whereas enculturation was favorably related only to PM (positively). In fact, enculturation was positively related to anxiety. The specifics of these relations were further examined using the following moderators: (a) researchers' operationalization of acculturation/enculturation (i.e., linearity, dimensionality); (b) contextual influences (i.e., when and where the study was conducted); and (c) sample characteristics (i.e., voluntariness of residency, race, gender, age). Overall, bilinear measures of acculturation indicated a positive association with PM, while unilinear measures did not. External acculturation (e.g., language, behaviors) and internal enculturation (e.g., identity) were most favorably related to mental health. The place of study had differential effects on the relation of enculturation and NM. Acculturation appeared to be especially important to Asian Americans, whereas enculturation was to African Americans. Differential effects of age suggested the need to consider life-span development of needs and social roles in relation to acculturation and enculturation. Both correlational analyses and mean comparisons affirmed that integration was the most favorable acculturation strategy to mental health. Implications for research, practice, and theory are discussed.

The Mexican Health Paradox

The Mexican health paradox refers to initially favorable health and mental health outcomes among recent Mexican immigrants to the United States. The subsequent rapid decline in Mexican health outcomes has been attributed to the process of acculturation to U.S. culture. However, the construct of acculturation has come under significant criticism for oversimplifying complex relations between health, behavior, race and ethnic relations, and the environment. Moreover, measurement issues for the construct abound. This article reviews the current state of the acculturation debate, and argues for an integration of current theoretical perspectives and critiques of the construct in order to strengthen the explanatory power of acculturation with regard to the Mexican health paradox.

Conceptual considerations in studies of cultural influences on health behaviors

Conceptual considerations in studies of cultural influences on health behaviors

Validation of Social Connectedness in Mainstream Society and the Ethnic Community Scales.

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Social Connectedness in Mainstream Society (SCMN) and the Social Connectedness in the Ethnic Community (SCETH) Scales in two groups of ethnic minorities. We especially examined their theoretical/conceptual and empirical viability in relation to other established constructs of general social connectedness, acculturation, and enculturation. Analyses of two sets of survey data from 200 Mexican American students in California and 134 Asian international students in Minnesota supported (a) construct validity of the SCMN and the SCETH as related but distinct structures, (b) convergent and discriminant validity in relation to acculturation and enculturation, and (c) high reliability. The examination of incremental validity in predicting subjective well-being further supported their distinctive utility in addition to other established constructs of general social connectedness, acculturation, enculturation, ethnic identity, and other group orientation. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Pushing the Envelope for Cultural Appropriateness

This study explores the potential utility of a culturally tailored diabetes management intervention approach by testing associations between acculturation and diabetes-related beliefs among Mexican-American adults with type 2 diabetes. Data from 288 Mexican-American adults with type 2 diabetes were obtained via a bilingual, telephone-administered survey. Participants were drawn from a stratified, random sample designed to obtain maximum variability in acculturation. The survey assessed diabetes-related beliefs, intervention preferences, and the following three acculturation constructs from the Hazuda acculturation and assimilation scales: Spanish use, value for preserving Mexican culture, and interaction with Mexican Americans. Only one outcome-preference for a program for Mexican Americans-was associated with all three acculturation variables. Spanish use was positively associated with belief in susto as a cause of diabetes, preference for expert-driven health guidance, and involvement of others in taking care of diabetes. Value for preserving Mexican culture was related to a more holistic view of health, as evidenced by an increased likelihood of consulting a curandero, use of prayer, and interest in a diabetes program with religious content. Value for cultural preservation was also related to higher suspicion of free diabetes programs. Interaction with Mexican Americans was associated with a belief that insulin causes blindness. Findings from this study suggest distinct relationships between acculturation constructs and diabetes-related beliefs and preferences, thus arguing against the use of a single acculturation construct to determine diabetes intervention design. Cultural tailoring may enhance the cultural appropriateness and ultimate effectiveness of diabetes interventions for Mexican American adults.

Acculturation among Mexican-heritage preadolescents: A latent class analysis

This study applies advanced conceptualization and measurement to an analysis of acculturation among 1632 Mexican-heritage preadolescents. We assessed whether – and how – multiple measures combine to form a latent acculturation construct that groups individuals into classes; and determine how many and what classes (or types) of acculturation are experienced by this sample of 5th graders. Measures included attitudinal, behavioral, and linguistic acculturation, generation status, time in the US, ethnic identification, and contact with the culture of origin. The analysis identified five classes of acculturation, differing in size and characterized by specific measures of acculturation: less acculturated, moderately bicultural, strongly bicultural, highly acculturated, and marginalized. Although most youths fell into the first four classes, consonant with their exposure to American society, a small minority of youths fell into the last class. Despite substantial exposure to US culture and recent exposure to Mexican culture, these youth showed little affinity for either culture.

A Psychological Profile of Acculturation, Ethnic Identity and Teaching Efficacy among Latino In-service Teachers

This study examined psychological constructs of acculturation, ethnic identity, and teaching efficacy among 89 Latino in-service teachers serving minority students. Results showed significant differences in these constructs in relation to certification, program taught, and years of teaching. First, bilingual teachers were less likely to be assimilated to White-American culture compared to traditionally/alternatively prepared ESL teachers. Second, traditionally certified ESL teachers were more efficacious in controlling disruptive behavior than alternatively prepared ESL teachers. Finally, higher acculturated teachers were associated with university route and ESL program while low acculturation individuals were more likely to hold alternative certification and teach in bilingual program. Educational implications were discussed.

Rethinking the concept of acculturation: Implications for theory and research.

This article presents an expanded model of acculturation among international migrants and their immediate descendants. Acculturation is proposed as a multidimensional process consisting of the confluence among heritage-cultural and receiving-cultural practices, values, and identifications. The implications of this reconceptualization for the acculturation construct, as well as for its relationship to psychosocial and health outcomes, are discussed. In particular, an expanded operationalization of acculturation is needed to address the "immigrant paradox," whereby international migrants with more exposure to the receiving cultural context report poorer mental and physical health outcomes. We discuss the role of ethnicity, cultural similarity, and discrimination in the acculturation process, offer an operational definition for context of reception, and call for studies on the role that context of reception plays in the acculturation process. The new perspective on acculturation presented in this article is intended to yield a fuller understanding of complex acculturation processes and their relationships to contextual and individual functioning.

Constructs, measurements and models of acculturation and acculturative stress

This critique of acculturation research is anchored on an historical examination of the development of acculturation constructs and their operationalizations as psychometric scales. An historical search finds the origins of acculturation in derogatory beliefs about aboriginal and immigrant minorities, finds the old and continuing paradox that acculturation is presumed to improve mental health and to damage mental health, finds the near universal inter-twining of acculturation with mental health issues, and finds that nearly one century of such research has had little utility. Measurements of acculturation by bipolar scales since the 1940s and by unconstrained ipsative scales since the 1970s have confounded the research record. Measurements of acculturative stress by scales designed for mental health screening have confounded dependent and independent variables. More recent measures based on factor analytic sub-scales have confounded acculturative stress with acculturation and with other constructs. This review recommends (a) that acculturation be defined as second-culture acquisition, (b) that acculturative motivations, learning, and changes be conceived, measured, and sometimes studied independently of health issues, (c) that bilineal measures be used, (d) that acculturative stress be discontinued as an intervening variable, and (e) that SES and discrimination always be controlled by covariate methods.

Impact of Peer Nutrition Education on Dietary Behaviors and Health Outcomes among Latinos: A Systematic Literature Review

Objective This systematic review assesses the impact of peer education/counseling on nutrition and health outcomes among Latinos and identifies future research needs. Design A systematic literature search was conducted by: (1) searching Internet databases; (2) conducting backward searches from reference lists of articles of interest; (3) manually reviewing the archives of the Center for Eliminating Health Disparities among Latinos; (4) searching the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior; and (5) directly contacting researchers in the field. The authors reviewed 22 articles derived from experimental or quasi-experimental studies. Outcome Measures Type 2 diabetes behavioral and metabolic outcomes, breastfeeding, nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Results Peer nutrition education has a positive influence on diabetes self-management and breastfeeding outcomes, as well as on general nutrition knowledge and dietary intake behaviors among Latinos. Conclusions and Implications There is a need for longitudinal randomized trials testing the impact of peer nutrition education interventions grounded on goal setting and culturally appropriate behavioral change theories. Inclusion of reliable scales and the construct of acculturation are needed to further advance knowledge in this promising field. Operational research is also needed to identify the optimal peer educator characteristics, the type of training that they should receive, the client loads and dosage (ie, frequency and amount of contact needed between peer educator and client), and the best educational approaches and delivery settings.

Acculturation and Alcohol Treatment in Ethnic Minority Populations: Assessment Issues and Implications

ABSTRACT The roles of culture and ethnicity are crucial for understanding the relevance of personal and social factors involved in the drinking patterns of individuals. Research has shown that acculturative stress is associated with poorer health outcomes and may be linked to problematic drinking. This article briefly outlines issues including the construct of acculturation, measuring acculturation, and understanding the implications that it has with alcohol use in ethnic minorities. A study is presented that illustrates the association between acculturation and drinking patterns in older White and Hispanic veterans. Greater levels of past drinking were associated with more acculturation into the mainstream U.S. society for the Hispanic veterans. For the White veterans, greater levels of past drinking were associated with greater perceived discrimination and less comfort in mainstream U.S. society. Based on the literature, implications for clinical treatment are presented. Clinicians are called upon to understand the worldview of their clients and engage in culturally sensitive alcohol treatments.