Context Of Acculturation Research Articles

The Role of Perceived Forms of Discrimination Within the Psychological Acculturation Process of First-Generation Immigrants: A Scoping Review

Perceived discrimination has been found to be a common acculturative stressor among migrants negatively affecting their psychological acculturation process. Yet, a comprehensive review that focuses on how perceived discrimination is conceptualized and operationalized in the acculturation context is still missing. Furthermore, it is still unclear whether subtle and blatant forms of discrimination have been considered and compared in their effects in the acculturation literature, albeit some research suggests that the distinction between these two forms of discrimination is relevant and should be considered. Following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute, the present scoping review aimed to provide a systematic map of how perceived discrimination has been studied in the literature on first-generation adult immigrants’ psychological acculturation. A comprehensive search was executed in three databases (EBSCO, Scopus, and Web of Science), and 2,872 relevant sources were identified. A total of 143 studies were included after screening abstracts and full texts. A systematic coding scheme was then applied to all included articles. Results showed that 80% of the studies were cross-sectional and/or considered discrimination as a predictor of psychological outcomes, while other variables, for example, acculturation orientations and identity constructs, have been much less studied. Perceived discrimination was measured with over 50 different scales, yet only 10% of the studies made a clear conceptual difference between subtle and blatant discrimination. Moreover, the operationalization of these two forms of discrimination was often ambiguous. The present review identifies important knowledge gaps in the acculturation literature and draws recommendations for future research.

Attachment style and romantic involvement with host nationals influence migrants’ acculturation and adjustment

Many migrants experience cultural transitions alongside a romantic partner, yet relatively few studies have examined the relationship context of acculturation and adjustment. The primary goal of the present study was to examine whether partners’ anxious and avoidant attachment – fearing abandonment or closeness in relationships, respectively – predicted their acculturation orientations and sociocultural, psychological, and relational adjustment. A secondary goal was to examine whether being romantically involved with a host national eased the process of acculturation. Toward this end, we collected dyadic daily diary data over a 14-day period from 146 couples (N = 292), of whom at least one partner was a recent migrant to the UK. We found that when migrants were higher in avoidant attachment, they – and their partners – reported the poorest acculturative outcomes: lower mainstream British identification and heritage culture identification, and lower sociocultural, psychological, and relational adjustment. When migrants were higher in attachment anxiety, they reported poorer psychological, sociocultural, and relational adjustment; when their partners were higher in anxiety, migrants reported worse outcomes across the board. Furthermore, migrants with a British partner reported greater mainstream British identification and sociocultural adjustment compared to migrants without a British partner. A follow-up 7.5 years later found that migrants who were higher in attachment anxiety and did not have a British partner at Time 1 were more likely to have left the UK by Time 2. Based on these findings, we encourage researchers, clinicians, and policy-makers to take migrants’ relationship context into account to better understand their acculturation and adjustment.

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.

Facilitating international medical graduates' acculturation: From theory to practice.

International medical graduates (IMGs) are forming an ever-increasing proportion of the medical workforce. Much of the discourse around IMGs is about their performance at work and interventions to improve it. This discourse, however, is rarely situated in the wider context of the experiences of IMGs as migrants despite the wider context of migration and acculturation being likely to have a significant impact on IMGs' well-being and, ultimately, performance at work. The objectives of this article were to (1) raise awareness of the inextricable broader context within which IMGs are situated as migrants; (2) outline the impact this context might have on IMGs' performance; (3) discuss literature from the social sciences related to acculturation that could better inform the way we view IMG transition and performance; (4) highlight how acculturation theory can help inform the design, implementation and evaluation of interventions to facilitate the transition of IMGs into the host country and the workplace; (5) list some interventions that can provide support; and (6) suggest theory driven lines of enquiry to study acculturation in IMGs and the impact related issues might have on performance. This is a cross-cutting edge review drawing on selected theory and literature from the social sciences to explore its relevance to IMGs. The broader context of migration and acculturation should not be ignored when discussing IMG performance in the workplace or when instigating interventions to improve it. There is an urgent need to further evaluate the impact this broader context has on IMGs' well-being and performance.

A Longitudinal Study of Acculturation in Context and Cardiovascular Health and Their Effects on Cognition Among Older Latino Adults.

Background We previously outlined the importance of considering acculturation within the context of older Latino adults'lived experience (ie, acculturation in context) to better capture contributors to cognitive aging. We now examine this conceptual framework as related to level of and change in cardiovascular health, and whether cardiovascular health modifies previously documented associations of acculturation in context with cognition. Methods and Results Acculturation in context data from 192 Latino participants without dementia at baseline (age ~70 years) were compiled into 3 separate composite scores: acculturation-related (nativity, language-, and social-based preferences), contextually related socioenvironmental (experiences of discrimination, social isolation, social networks), and familism-related (Latino-centric family ethos). A modified American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (mLS7; ie, smoking, physical activity, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, blood glucose) was used to measure cardiovascular health. Mixed effects regressions simultaneously tested the association of all 3 composite scores with total mLS7 adjusting for confounders. Separate models tested whether mLS7 modified associations of the 3 composite scores and cognition. The contextually related socioenvironmental composite score reflecting higher discrimination, higher social isolation, and smaller social networks (estimate=0.22, SE=0.10, P=0.02) and the familism score (estimate=0.16, SE=0.07, P=0.02) both significantly associated with change in total mLS7. The acculturation-related composite was not significantly associated with change in mLS7. No composite was significantly associated with level of mLS7. Total mLS7, however, significantly modified associations between the acculturation-related composite and change in working memory (estimate=-0.02, SE=0.01, P=0.043). Conclusions Acculturation within the context of older Latino adults' lived experience is important for maintaining cardiovascular health, relationships that also affect domain-specific cognitive decline.

Acculturation, religiosity, and willingness to accept Korean products among Muslim consumers: an exploratory study

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the acculturation caused by the Korean wave among Indonesian Muslim consumers, especially in the food and cosmetic sectors, based on religious grounds.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through focus group interviews with 20 Muslim respondents in Indonesia.FindingsThe findings specifically highlighted that Muslim consumers’ acceptance of Korean products varied. Muslim consumers’ acceptance was influenced by similarities and differences in values between Islamic and Korean cultures. Consumers categorised into each acculturation mode (assimilation, separation, integration and marginalisation) showed different behavioural patterns in Korean product acceptance. This study proposes that global products can be optimised through specific and targeted marketing campaigns for different types of Muslim consumers with products that comply with their religious values.Originality/valueFew studies have explored the importance of religious values (e.g. righteousness, compassion and respect for others) with respect to the acceptance of foreign products in the acculturation context. Additionally, how values from other cultures reconcile with the Indonesian Muslims’ affinity for Korean culture has been limitedly studied. This study aims to fill these gaps by identifying the role of religious factors in the acceptance of global products by taking the example of Indonesian Muslim consumers and Korean products.

Aculturación y participación escolar: el caso de los estudiantes portugueses de la comunidad gitana

There is well-documented evidence on the relationships between the perceived utility value of school, positive learning outcomes, and intention to pursue education. For students from ethnic marginalized or economically deprived backgrounds, beliefs and values on the utility of education are shaped by acculturation conditions and hassles they are often exposed to. Despite recognizing the value of education, students from the Roma community show disengagement behaviors and interrupted educational trajectories. This might contribute to disadvantaged positions in education, labor markets, healthcare, and political life. Grounded on the acculturation framework, this study investigated how and to what extent micro-level acculturation contexts – family and school – influence school-based outcomes (e.g., utility beliefs; School Engagement [SE]) of students with Roma background. The empirical data draws on a sample of 213 students collected in eleven schools across Portugal. Results are insightful, providing evidence of how different socialization agents bolster school engagement dimensions. Moreover, data provided evidence on the most effective forms of parental and teacher involvement to support the utility value of school and education. Together findings open avenues to challenge further deficit perspectives underscoring policies and educational interventions targeting the achievement gap among students with Roma background.

Acculturation and school engagement: The case of Portuguese students with Roma background

There is well-documented evidence on the relationships between the perceived utility value of school, positive learning outcomes, and intention to pursue education. For students from ethnic marginalized or economically deprived backgrounds, beliefs and values on the utility of education are shaped by acculturation conditions and hassles they are often exposed to. Despite recognizing the value of education, students from the Roma community show disengagement behaviors and interrupted educational trajectories. This might contribute to disadvantaged positions in education, labor markets, healthcare, and political life. Grounded on the acculturation framework, this study investigated how and to what extent micro-level acculturation contexts – family and school – influence school-based outcomes (e.g., utility beliefs; School Engagement [SE]) of students with Roma background. The empirical data draws on a sample of 213 students collected in eleven schools across Portugal. Results are insightful, providing evidence of how different socialization agents bolster school engagement dimensions. Moreover, data provided evidence on the most effective forms of parental and teacher involvement to support the utility value of school and education. Together findings open avenues to challenge further deficit perspectives underscoring policies and educational interventions targeting the achievement gap among students with Roma background.

Acculturation, parenting stress, and children's problem behaviours among immigrant Latinx mothers and fathers.

The Latinx population in the United States has been growing steadily over the last few decades, necessitating the need to better understand the impact of stress and acculturation on Latinx parents and children to provide more targeted community supports. This study examines how parenting stress, within the context of acculturation, is associated with children's internalizing and externalizing behaviours among newly immigrated Latinx families (n = 129). Correlational analyses were used to understand the relationship between acculturation, parenting stress for mothers and fathers, and children's behaviour problems. Regression analyses were used to predict children's behaviours when accounting for acculturation and parenting stress. Results indicated that parent acculturation was not associated with child problem behaviours for mothers or fathers. Maternal parenting stress was associated with child internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems, while paternal parenting stress was associated with child externalizing problems only. Implications and future directions for this research are discussed.

Роль локальной идентичности и воспринимаемого контекста в психологическом благополучии русских Эстонии

The present article focuses on the relationship between local identity, perceived inclusiveness of the sociocultural context and psychological well-being of the Russians in Estonia (N = 309; M = 37,46; SD = 16,56). Perceived discrimination and perceived multiculturalism are considered as indicators of inclusiveness of the context, and self-esteem and life satisfaction as indicators of psychological well-being. We used the scales from the MIRIPS questionnaire translated and adapted for Russia by N.M. Lebedeva and A.N.Tatarko, the scale of descriptive multicultural attitudes developed in the Center for Sociocultural Research of the HSE University, and the local identity scale of Droseltis and Vignoles. The results of strutural equation modeling show that local identity significantly positively relates to perceived inclusiveness of the sociocultural context. Perceived inclusiveness of the context is positively related to self-esteem and life satisfaction. Indicators of perceived inclusiveness of the context mediate the relationship between local identity and psychological well-being. The study revealed direct positive effect of local identity on life satisfaction. Thus, local identity fulfills an adaptive function, contributing to a more positive perception of the context of acculturation and increasing psychological well-being.

Acculturation in context: The relationship between acculturation and socioenvironmental factors with level of and change in cognition in older Latinos

AbstractBackgroundLatinos are 1.5 times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s dementia as non‐Latino Whites. This health disparity may arise from multiple influences with culturally‐relevant factors receiving increasing attention. Models of acculturation stress the importance of considering acculturation‐related factors within the context of socioenvironmental factors to better capture the Latino experience in the US.MethodWe measured 10 acculturation and contextually‐related variables in 199 Latinos (age∼69.7yrs) without dementia participating in Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center studies. We subjected these variables to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to study their interrelationships; then investigated how the resulting components associated with level of and longitudinal change in domain‐specific cognition using separate linear mixed effects models adjusted for relevant confounders and their interactions with time.ResultThe PCA revealed a 3‐factor unrotated solution (variance explained ∼70%). Factor 1, representing acculturation‐related aspects of nativity, language‐ and social‐based acculturation, was positively associated with level, but not change, in semantic memory and perceptual speed. Factor 2, representing contextually‐related socioenvironmental experiences of discrimination, social isolation, and social networks, was associated with lower levels of episodic memory and working memory and faster longitudinal decline in visuospatial ability (Figure 1). Factor 3 (familism only) did not associate with level or change in any cognitive outcome. We are actively investigating the role of cardiovascular health on these associations.ConclusionAcculturation‐ and contextually‐related factors differentiated from each other and differentially contributed to cognition and cognitive decline in older Latinos. Providers should query multiple social determinants of health when evaluating older Latinos including acculturation‐ and contextually‐related lived experiences.

Moralization of Japanese cultural norms among student sojourners in Japan

This study investigated the relationship between different domains of cultural adaptation among international students in Japan and the moralization of culture-specific norms. Newcomers may adapt certain norms of the host culture and ascribe moral meanings to initially nonmoral activities or objects. Building on the existing model of sociocultural adaptation, we investigated how different types of sociocultural adaptation are associated with the moralization of Japanese cultural norms. For international students in Japan, there are three aspects of sociocultural adaptation: academic, daily living, and interpersonal. Our results showed that cultural adaptation in the interpersonal domain, but not in the academic and daily living domains, predicted harsher moral judgments of behaviors that violated Japanese cultural norms. These findings suggest that international students who are well adjusted in the interpersonal domain gain an understanding of what is sanctioned in the Japanese cultural context and come to see certain behaviors as morally appropriate. We discuss several implications for further investigating the moralization of certain behaviors within the context of acculturation.

Dynamics of social identity and cultural intelligence in acculturative adaptation of an ethnic minority group in India

AbstractThis study evaluated the main and interactive effects of social identity and cultural intelligence on the acculturative adaptation of an ethnic minority diaspora in India. This cross‐sectional survey study (N = 246, 58.5% female, mean age = 26.7 years) focused on the dichotomy of ethnic and national aspects of social identity of the northeast Indian diaspora in Indian cities outside the northeastern region. Path analysis showed that identification of the national group predicted adaptation and cultural intelligence positively moderated that association. The ethnic identity had no main effects on adaptation and reported adaptive outcomes only through its interaction with cultural intelligence. This study reveals that pursuing bi‐cultural identity is not a sufficient condition for adaptation, particularly in prejudiced acculturation contexts where the dominant social groups may not espouse multiculturalism. Here, cultural intelligence is a vital skill that facilitates adaptive outcomes of an integrated bi‐cultural identity for ethnic minority groups.

Cultural continuities and discontinuities at the Neolithic transition in Eastern Iberia: an analysis of the morphometry of geometric microliths

The main goal of this paper is to explore possible cultural continuities and discontinuities at the Neolithic transition in Eastern Iberia. To address this issue, we introduce a twofold methodology, consisting of Geometric Morphometrics and the use of the self-developed Geomeasure system, to examine evolutionary patterns in geometric microliths. These are a specific type of arrowhead shared by both the last hunter-gatherers and the first farmers from two reference sites in the region: Cueva de la Cocina and Cova de l’Or (Eastern Iberia). Although advances in research have contributed to a better comprehension of this process, there are still unanswered questions, especially when the study is approached from a regional perspective. Such is the case for the Neolithisation of the Eastern Iberian Peninsula, and the way in which the previous Mesolithic population interacted—if they interacted at all—with the first farmers. In this case, some sites present archaeological contexts that have been catalogued as acculturation contexts. This has traditionally been the case for phase C of Cueva de la Cocina (Spain), although recent research points to the possibility that the content of this specific deposit is the result of post-depositional processes. Here we try first to understand the cultural evolutionary patterns and relations between the different geometric microlith technocomplexes and, second, to address the specific problem of the interpretation of taphonomic disturbances in the archaeological record. We use the Cueva de l’Or and the Cueva de la Cocina for comparison, and our conclusions raise serious doubts about the existence of an acculturation phase at the latter.

Acculturation in Context: The Relationship Between Acculturation and Socioenvironmental Factors With Level of and Change in Cognition in Older Latinos.

Latinos are 1.5 times as likely to develop Alzheimer's dementia as non-Latino Whites. This health disparity may arise from multiple influences with culturally relevant factors receiving increasing attention. Models of acculturation stress the importance of considering acculturation-related factors within the context of socioenvironmental factors to better capture the Latino experience in the United States. We measured 10 acculturation and contextually-related variables in 199 Latinos (age 69.7 years) without dementia participating in Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center studies. We tested the relationship between these variables via Principal Component Analysis (PCA), then investigated how resulting components associated with level of and longitudinal change in global and domain-specific cognition using separate linear mixed-effects models adjusted for relevant confounders and their interactions with time. The PCA revealed a 3-factor unrotated solution (variance explained ~70%). Factor 1, representing acculturation-related aspects of nativity, language- and social-based acculturation, was positively associated with level, but not change, in global cognition, semantic memory, and perceptual speed. Factor 2, representing contextually-related socioenvironmental experiences of discrimination, social isolation, and social networks, was negatively associated with level of global cognition, episodic and working memory, and faster longitudinal decline in visuospatial ability. Factor 3 (familism only) did not associate with level or change in any cognitive outcome. Acculturation- and contextually-related factors differentiated from each other and differentially contributed to cognition and cognitive decline in older Latinos. Providers should query acculturation and lived experiences when evaluating cognition in older Latinos.

Intercultural contacts and acculturation resources among International students in Australia: A mixed-methods study

This paper explores the impact of acculturation conditions, orientations and outcomes on international students in Australia’s tertiary education sector. Specifically, we investigate the factors that facilitate or hinder acculturation of international students within a multidimensional acculturation context (Arends-Tóth & van de Vijver, 2006). We used a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design in two studies to investigate acculturation of international students at an Australian university and test how these factors are related to psychological and sociocultural outcomes. In Study 1, we conducted a generic qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with a conventional content analyses approach,which compared the experiences of international students who on average had high numbers of positive experiences versus those who had high numbers of negative experiences. We found that a support network of mixed-nationals, and especially host locals, facilitates positive psychological and sociocultural adjustment, and buffers acculturative stress. Study 2 quantitatively tested the association of factors found in Study 1 (perceived stereotypes, intercultural and ethnic network/resources) with psychological and sociocultural acculturation outcomes. Study 2, shows that perceived negative stereotypes loosen ties with the dominant (host) culture and reinforces ties with the ethnic (non-host) culture. The social resources associated with either culture was found to be useful for acculturation, with both independently contributing to participant well-being. Contact with host locals played a particularly crucial role in developing these resources. Our findings provide foundations for pragmatic policy implications, suggesting value in the development of formally organized contact programs in the early sojourn experience of international students.

Fitting in: How the intergroup context shapes minority acculturation and achievement

ABSTRACT Children of immigrants are at risk of underachieving in school with long-lasting consequences for future life-chances. Our research contextualises the achievement gap by examining minority acculturation experiences in daily intergroup contact across different intergroup contexts. Acculturation researchers often find an adaptive advantage for minority youth with an integration-orientation (combining both cultures). But findings from Europe are inconclusive. Looking beyond individual differences in acculturation-orientations, this review shifts focus to the intergroup context of minority acculturation and achievement. We discuss longitudinal, multi-group, multi-level and experimental evidence of the up- and downsides of integration for minority inclusion and success in European societies. Our studies show that both (1) intergroup contact experiences and (2) intergroup ideologies affect achievement – either directly or through the interplay of (3) acculturation-norms, defined as shared views on acculturation in social groups, with individual acculturation-orientations. The findings suggest how schools can reduce achievement gaps through improving intergroup relations.

La construcción de Nueva España: el mundo del libro

Desde la conquista del Nuevo Mundo, se dio un proceso complejo de apropiación de culturas y de integración global que involucraba a todos sus habitantes. ¿Podría la Nueva España definirse como un reino americano particular o un reino entre otros tantos dentro del ámbito de la Monarquía hispánica? Como una tensión entre ambos polos, el libro sería el soporte para transmitir, desde la segunda mitad del siglo XVI, una imagen que ensamblaría tanto su especificidad como reino, como la visión global otorgada a éste desde Europa.

Role of Cultural Intelligence in Acculturation: Explorations on a Physiognomic Minority Diaspora in India

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to analyse how cultural intelligence (CQ) influences the acculturation process and adaptive outcomes of a physiognomic minority indigenous cultural group in India. This study (N = 246) concerning the northeastern (NE) Indian diaspora in Indian cities outside the NE region. Path analysis showed that integration and assimilation predicted higher adaptation; while marginalization and separation lowered adaptation. Likewise, CQ positively predicted adaptation and also moderated the relationship between acculturation strategies and adaptation. Therefore, findings reflect the flexible facilitative role of CQ in promoting adaptation of minority groups in acculturation context.

Taphonomic processes inconsistent with indigenous Mesolithic acculturation during the transition to the Neolithic in the Western Mediterranean

We applied taphonomic analysis combined with geostatistical approaches to investigate the hypothesis that Cocina cave (Eastern Iberia) represents an acculturation context for the appearance of Neolithic Cardial pottery. In the 1970s, Fortea suggested that this important site was a prime example of acculturation because of the presence of early Neolithic pottery in late Mesolithic contexts. Since that time Cocina cave has been heralded as an example of indigenous hunter-gatherers incorporating Neolithic cultural elements into their lifeways. We analyzed the area excavated by Fortea in the 1970s by digitizing archaeological records and testing the spatial distribution of artifacts using geostatistical analysis and high-resolution AMS radiocarbon dating. We contextualized the findings by discussing key issues of archaeological depositions with the goal to better understand the palimpsest that usually occur in prehistoric sequences. Our analysis indicates that the mixture of Mesolithic and Neolithic materials resulted from taphonomic processes rather than acculturation.