Acculturation Experiences Research Articles

Can cultural identity clarity protect the well-being of Latino/a Canadians from the negative impact of race-based rejection sensitivity?

The aim of the present study was to examine the understudied immigration and acculturation experience of the growing Latino/a community in Canada. Specifically, we explored the impact of race-based rejection sensitivity on well-being, and whether cultural identity clarity could help curtail any negative effects. Hypothesis 1 was that race-based rejection sensitivity would be negatively associated with well-being. Hypothesis 2 was that cultural identity clarity would moderate the association between race-based rejection sensitivity and well-being such that Latino/a immigrants lower in cultural identity clarity would experience poorer well-being than those higher in cultural identity clarity. A community sample of Latino/a immigrants (N = 136; Mage = 38.21; 51.47% female) completed a survey including measures of race-based rejection sensitivity, cultural identity clarity, bicultural stress, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that race-based rejection sensitivity was negatively associated with well-being. Additionally, high cultural identity clarity attenuated the negative association between race-based rejection sensitivity and well-being. Results of the present study suggest maintaining clarity over their heritage cultures postimmigration can be beneficial to Latino/a immigrants in Canada, in particular when they are sensitive to cues of racial discrimination. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Promoting or prohibiting: Understanding the influence of social media on international students’ acculturation process, coping strategies, and psychological consequences

Although the unprecedented prevalence of social media has infiltrated into international students’ daily trajectories and become an indispensable component of their intercultural communication, yet surprisingly few attempts have been implemented to systematically unpack how the innovative technology could play a role in these sojourners’ acculturation experiences and the consequences of migration and cross-cultural adaption. In order to address such research gap, the objective of this present article is to provide a review of academic, peer-reviewed journal studies that examined the potential effect of social media engagement on international university students’ acculturation process, coping strategies, and psychological adjustments during the period from 2010 to 2019. Moreover, building upon conceptualizations from new media and transcultural research literature, a conceptual framework was developed to classify the relevant studies for further analysis. Overall, these theories and studies synthesized in this paper emphasize the vital role of social media in the acculturation, coping behaviors and mental health for ethnic minorities in the host country. Additionally, certain dimensions of attitudes and behaviors through social media could exert the important influence on the psychological adaption. Therefore, conclusions of the research may assist to further inform practitioners who may encounter newcomers’ experiencing intercultural adjustments and psychological issues in the digital media age. Furthermore, this current review may also help educators determine certain barriers that have not been resolved in campus tactics which may influence the acculturation of sojourning populations.

Challenges in Acculturation among International Students from Asian Collectivist Cultures

Many international students coming to a U.S. university, especially those coming from a collectivist culture such as Asia, experience acculturation stress due to encountering different cultural norms and values. Lack of available resources may limit their coping ability, and prolonged exposure to acculturation stress may result in a decline in mental health. Asian international students may be at greater risk of developing mental health complications due to additional stressors derived from their cultures such as family recognition through success, emphasis on emotional self-control, and stigma toward mental illness. In this context, accumulated and unresolved acculturation stress may increase psychological vulnerabilities. Despite its relevance, there is no conceptual framework examining acculturation experiences of this student population. This article aims to present a conceptual framework of the acculturation process of Asian international students. Such a framework is important because it not only provides a holistic understanding of the acculturation process for Asian international students, but also provides an avenue for a comprehensive empirical inquiry. Furthermore, research-based evidence will help inform a more effective and inclusive university policy addressing the various needs of international students in order to provide intervention when necessary.

General practice is 'different': qualitative study of acculturation experiences of East Staffordshire general practice specialty trainees.

Undergraduate medical education and postgraduate foundation training are largely secondary care based. General practice trainees also spend nearly half of their training in hospital rotations. Little is known about factors that support effective transition into general practice specialty training or belongingness experiences throughout training. To explore the reported experiences of general practice trainee transition into general practice, training in hospital settings, and views of the future. Semi-structured interviews with 18 purposively selected trainees plus observation and stakeholder discussions by a visiting Sri Lankan general practice trainee attending the vocational training scheme in a participant observer role. Mastering core skills of general practice, undergraduate and early experience in general practice during specialty training, and general practice trainer guidance and role modelling facilitated transition. A reduced sense of belongingness during hospital rotations impacted on training and work. Building bridging social connections, personal agency initiatives to bring general practice relevance into hospital training, and secondary care affiliative behaviours were adaptive strategies. Allocation to more general practice relevant duties was thought to create value within the hospital team. General practice trainees are thriving with the support of general practice trainers and colleagues, vocational training scheme, and good work/life balance. International graduates require additional support in specific areas. Adequate support towards transition into general practice and fostering belongingness in hospital settings is important due to the wider impact on training, patient care, and primary/secondary care integration. We propose a theoretical explanation based on Wenger's social learning model, which may have useful practical implications.

The Dynamics of Acculturation Among Older Immigrants in Australia

This study explores different acculturation pathways that older immigrants follow, and the social/cultural identities they claim (or do not claim), as they live and age in Australia. Data were collected from 29 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with older immigrants (65+ years) from nine cultural backgrounds. We used participants’ self-defined cultural identity to explore how these cultural identities were enacted in different contexts. Mapping self-defined cultural identity with narratives about what participants do in relation to ethnic and host cultures, we found three dynamic acculturation pathways: (a) identifying with the ethnic culture while embracing aspects of Australian culture, (b) identifying with Australian culture while participating in the ethnic culture, and (c) identifying with both cultures while maintaining the way of life of the ethnic culture. These pathways show that acculturation strategies are not necessarily consistent with self-defined identity, within the same individual or over time. Rather, the participants’ narratives suggest that their life in the settlement country involves ongoing negotiation across people, culture, and relationships. The findings highlight the importance for acculturation research to be situated in the context in which immigrants find themselves, to capture the nuances of these dynamic acculturation experiences.

A Community-Based Cultural Adaptation Process: Developing a Relevant Cooking Curriculum to Address Food Security for Burundian and Congolese Refugee Families.

Refugee-specific nutrition and cooking curricula addressing dietary acculturation barriers to food security are limited. A cooking curriculum was culturally adapted for Burundian and Congolese refugees to address their unique dietary acculturation experiences. A four-phase curriculum adaptation process (information gathering [literature review, researcher informed, and formative interviews; n = 18], preliminary adaptation design [data incorporation and steering committee; n = 5], pilot testing [n = 10 youth/adult dyads], and refinement) was applied to the existing evidence-based iCook 4-H curriculum using a five-strategy (peripheral, evidential, linguistic, constituent-involving, and sociocultural) cultural adaptation framework. A multiphase, two-cycle coding analytic process was completed within NVivo 12, followed by direct content analysis. Seventeen adaptations were made to the iCook curriculum, derived from varying combinations of four data sources (literature review, researcher informed, priority population, and steering committee), applying all five cultural adaptation strategies. A majority of the curriculum adaptations were derived from two or more data sources (71%) and were categorized within multiple adaptation strategies (88%). This study provided a community-based cultural adaptation process that could be used with various populations to address unique barriers and facilitators to food security. This innovative model addresses cultural needs while simultaneously aiming to improve health habits of refugee communities.

Effect of linguistic acculturation on self-efficacy and anxiety in caregivers of Latina breast cancer survivors.

12121 Background: Latina breast cancer survivors and their caregivers face unique challenges. Acculturation is the acquisition of the cultural elements of a dominant society. Higher acculturation in Latino survivors is positively correlated with self-efficacy in patient-provider communication and improved patient-reported outcomes. There is a paucity of research on how language acculturation affects caregiver and patient outcomes. We examined associations over time between linguistic acculturation among caregivers of Latina survivors and outcomes of caregiver self-efficacy and anxiety. Methods: We partnered with four community-based organizations that serve Latino families facing cancer. We enrolled 136 Latina breast cancer survivors and their caregivers for a randomized trial comparing a dyadic coping intervention to usual care (e.g., support groups). Participants completed surveys including demographic and clinical information, the short acculturation scale for Hispanics, caregiver inventory to assess self-efficacy and PROMIS domains of anxiety at baseline and 6-months after the intervention. Results: In multivariate linear regressions models, we examined the effect of acculturation on caregiver self-efficacy and anxiety, controlling for demographics (patient and caregiver age, caregiver education, employment), patient treatment history (chemotherapy and surgery) patient and caregiver language preference (Spanish or English) and intervention arm (intervention vs. usual care). Greater caregiver self-efficacy at 6-months was associated with younger patient age (t=-2.93, p=.004), older caregiver age (t=2.63, p = .01), female caregiver gender (t=2.79, p = .006) and higher acculturation (t=2.01, p=.04), controlling for baseline self-efficacy, patient language and randomization group. Caregiver anxiety was not related to caregiver acculturation or patient language preferences. Conclusions: Caregivers’ language acculturation was significantly associated with their self-efficacy over time, suggesting that caregivers with lower acculturation experience lower confidence in their provision of care for Latina survivors. These findings are particularly salient because participants for this study were enrolled from organizations with bilingual services. Caregivers of Latina survivors without access to these community resources may face even more striking challenges. Future work can explore how caregivers’ confidence relates to survivors’ adherence to care and patient outcomes over time.

The role of bilingualism in Latino youth experiences of acculturation stress when living in an emerging Latino community

Latino youth experience unique stressors as they navigate two cultural contexts. While a substantial amount of research has been conducted investigating Latino youths’ experiences of acculturation, most have been conducted in cities with a substantial Latino community, with less research focusing on emerging communities, or areas with small, but growing cultural communities. The aim of this study was to understand Latino youths’ experiences of acculturation stressors when living in an emerging Latino community. To achieve this aim, 30 youth (ages 7–16) living in an emerging Latino community were recruited to participate in a creative-arts based research method in which they were placed in groups based on developmental stage and participated in six dialogue sessions. During sessions, youth were asked to paint a picture based on prompts and then discuss the topics that emerged in their paintings in small groups. Prompts were designed to illicit youths’ experiences with acculturation stress and Latino identity. Thematic analysis of qualitative data indicated that the role of language was featured prominently in youths’ experiences. In this paper, we discuss the role of bilingualism in multiple contexts in Latino youth experience of acculturation when living in an emerging Latino community. The results suggest that bilingualism is central to the identity of Latino youth in this context and may be essential to incorporate into interventions that aim to facilitate positive youth development among Latino youth living in emerging Latino communities.

Acculturation and health behaviors among older Chinese immigrants in the United States: A qualitative descriptive study.

Older immigrants tend to experience rapid deterioration in health after immigration. Changes in health behaviors over the course of acculturation are considered attributable factors. However, much remains unknown when it comes to acculturation experiences and health behaviors among older immigrants. This study explored acculturation in three domains (behavioral, cognitive, and identificational) and described how each domain of acculturation could influence various health behaviors among community-dwelling older Chinese immigrants in the United States. In this qualitative descriptive study, trained bilingual interviewers conducted in-depth individual interviews with 24 participants in the greater Los Angeles area. Acculturation experiences emerged from qualitative content analysis, such as high dependence on Chinese behavioral patterns and intraethnic networks and limited intergroup interactions (behavioral acculturation), strong maintenance of Chinese cultural values and some American cultural learning (cognitive acculturation), and strong identification with Chinese ethnicity (identificational acculturation). Behavioral acculturation and cognitive acculturation may influence various health behaviors, including eating/diet, exercise, chronic disease, and mental health management. By recognizing the unique acculturation experiences, interventions could be developed to promote healthy behaviors in achieving optimal health in this population.

A latent class analysis of acculturation and depressive symptoms among Latino immigrants: Examining the role of social support

Drawing upon Berry’s (1980) bi-dimensional model of acculturation and using data from a community-based sample of adults in Miami-Dade, Florida, the current investigation compared various immigrant acculturation profiles in their levels of depressive symptoms and assessed the mediating role of social support in explaining mental health differences across these acculturation profiles. Latent class analysis specified separated, partial separated, bicultural and marginal profiles of acculturation among Latino immigrants. Notably, our findings identified a small, albeit significant, marginal class among Latino immigrants, and both bivariate and multivariate findings demonstrated that those in marginal class reported the poorest mental health. Our findings further revealed that the observed mental health disadvantage among the marginal class relative to other immigrants was due to their disadvantage in family support . Overall, this investigation further underscores the importance of family support as an element of immigrant acculturation experience and mental health. From a policy perspective, social support, specifically family support, is critical for immigrant mental health, and a lack of family support may increase the risk for developing a marginal experience and mental health problems among a growing population of Latino immigrants in the United States.

Walking on Two-Row: Reconciling First Nations Identity and Colonial Trauma Through Material Interaction, Acculturation, and Art Therapy (Marcher sur deux voies : réconcilier l’identité des Premières Nations et le traumatisme colonial par l’interaction matérielle, l’acculturation et l’art-thérapie)

As a Kanien'kehá:ka First Nations art therapist and researcher, the author explores how accessibility to First Nations and Western art materials could impact the experience of acculturation and identity formation. The research was conducted for a Concordia University graduate study in Montreal using multiple methodologies: Moustakas' six-step heuristic inquiry, Hervey's arts-based research design and Wilson's concept of land as measurement. This arts-based heuristic inquiry engaged an Indigenous paradigm that documented Western and Kanien'kehá:ka First Nations material interaction over a 28-moon lunar cycle while noting systemic changes in functioning and identity reflection during the process. The data was examined using the Expressive Therapies Continuum Use and Therapist Self-Rating Scale and witness writings. The findings indicated that access to both Western and Kanien'kehá:ka materials could foster a bicultural identity, cultural restoration and shame resilience for a Kanien'kehá:ka population.

“The Chance to Look, to Examine, to Explore”: A Qualitative Study of Intercultural Contact and Cultural Identity Exploration for Muslim Immigrants

The current investigation sought to better understand the role individuals play in navigating their own cultural identity development during the process of acculturation. To this end, a qualitative methodology was used to examine how a specific group of individuals negotiate identity changes in the face of intercultural contact. In-depth interviews concerning processes of identity management and development were conducted with a sample of 11 Muslim women (8 Malay and 3 Saudi Arabian) permanently residing in New Zealand. Using applied thematic analysis, emergent themes were identified, and these were then analyzed using the concepts of “self-awareness” and “agency” to understand and structure how these individuals perceive and position themselves throughout their acculturation experiences. Findings showed that participants’ typical descriptions of intercultural encounters reflected active processes of both negotiating and managing cultural perspectives, with participants often citing acculturation as initiating questioning of identity positions. Furthermore, the findings showed an interplay between awareness of one’s cultural worldview and the degree of perceived agency felt in directing the relationship between culture and the construction of identity. This study highlights the importance of considering the active role individuals play in developing and defining their cultural identities during the process of acculturation.

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.

Treading on a Foreign Land: A Multiple Case Study of Chinese International Students’ Academic Acculturation Experiences

This article reports a multiple case study to explore the lived academic acculturation experiences of four Chinese international students with limited oral English capacity and how they describe the relationship between low oral English proficiency and academic acculturation. Self-Determination Theory was utilized as the theoretical framework to inform data collection and analysis. Findings indicated all four Chinese students experienced significant psychological stress during their academic acculturation as a direct result of their limited spoken English capacity, which negatively impacted their sense of competence, autonomy and particularly relatedness. Emotional pain, involuntary isolation, helplessness, and regret emerged as the salient themes from the cross-case analysis. Implications for various stakeholders are discussed.

The “Wrong Kind” of Immigrants: Pre-migration Trauma and Acculturative Stress Among the Undocumented Latinx Community

There has been an increase in Latinx immigration to the United States as citizens of Mexico and Central America move to escape perilous situations in their countries of origin. These immigrants’ traumatic experiences may include gang violence, political oppression, war, and physical or sexual abuse, among other experiences, many related to increased drug trafficking activity. While Latinx immigrants often experience acute acculturative stress, particularly if they are undocumented, it is frequently overlooked that the experience of acculturation will be worse if they suffered traumas in their countries of origin prior to immigration. Additionally, prevalent anti-immigration rhetoric in the United States can heighten acculturative stress, including symptoms of depression and anxiety. This paper will review the literature relevant to the relationship between pre-migration trauma, mental health, and immigration status in the Latinx population. A case example illustrating the accumulation of acculturative stress as a result of pre-migration trauma will also be discussed. Recommendations about best clinical practices in working with this population will be offered.

Colorectal cancer screening uptake among US Latino subgroups

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the colorectal cancer (CRC) screening practices of Latinos in the USA, a traditionally disadvantaged group regarding health, while operating within the theoretical lens of segmented acculturation. Differential acculturation experiences influence migrant health and healthcare access, including CRC screening. Design/methodology/approach Latinos are categorized into subgroups and are referenced against non-Latino whites and non-Latino blacks. Descriptive statistics and binomial logistic regression models are used to analyze the data from the 2008 and 2010–2014 National Health Interview Survey. Findings Latinos and respondents born outside of the non-territorial USA exhibit disparities in CRC screening participation. Screening discrepancies are not uniform across Latino subgroups, reflecting the importance of a segmented acculturation theoretical lens. Practical implications A discrepancy exists in CRC screening utilization among the largest minority population in the USA. These inconsistencies among US Latinos must be addressed directly to avoid serious health consequences in a large and growing population. Originality/value Interventions should be tailored to address the unique situational contexts of Latino subgroups suffering the health disparities. These distinct contexts are only elucidated through the use of a theoretical lens of segmented acculturation in studies of Latino health, which explicitly considers the historical and contemporary social forces acting upon the subgroups. This study extends beyond individual-level exposures to provide a more holistic view of the health behaviors and outcomes among Latino subgroups in the USA. Insight gained from this study is invaluable to improving the health of these traditionally disadvantaged groups.

Acculturation and academic achievement of rural to urban migrant youth: The role of school satisfaction and family closeness

China's 'tidal wave' of rural to urban migration has had a tremendous impact on the educational outcomes of its children. It remains unexplored how and when do migrant children’s experience of acculturation following arrival in the place of settlement influence their academic achievement. This study used a stratified cross-sectional sample of 2412 Chinese migrant children and adolescents aged 10–18 (Mean = 14, 45 % female) to investigate the role of school satisfaction and family closeness in the relationship between acculturation patterns and academic achievement. Acculturation patterns are derived from the bidimensional model proposed by Berry (2005). The results indicated that integration had a positive association with concurrent academic achievement. School satisfaction was a mediator between integration and academic achievement. Furthermore, the full mediation of school satisfaction was only supported when there was a high level of family closeness. Findings from this study underline the usefulness of the bi-dimensional model in understanding the individual differences in academic achievement and suggest greater attention to the cultural variations in interpersonal functioning at the family and school context.

Social Support and Stress-Related Acculturative Experiences of an English-speaking Afro-Caribbean Female Student in U.S. Higher Education

This two-year qualitative single critical case study research investigated the stress-related adjustment experiences and academic progression of a female English-speaking Afro-Caribbean collegian in an American postsecondary institution through the lens of the “triple bind” phenomenon and the stress buffer hypothesis. Student development theory and research on college student outcomes have largely focused on Black students’ experiences and achievement outcomes through a homogeneous African American cultural lens. Minimal existing research has shown differences in the lived experiences and achievement outcomes between Afro-Caribbean students and domestic African American students in U.S. postsecondary education.

On Jews and property in provincial Central Europe: Leopold Kompert’s 1848 publications

ABSTRACTBohemian-born Jewish author Leopold Kompert (1822–1886) is best known for Aus dem Ghetto (1848), his popular tales of provincial Jewish life featuring pious men and women who eke out a living and try to maintain religious traditions amid the temptations of modernity. However, at the same time he also wrote a number of newspaper articles, among them a biography of Jewish tobacco and wax merchant and financier Israel Hönig von Hönigsberg (1724–1808). Considered together, Kompert’s fiction and non-fiction suggest that owning property played a significant – if at times conflicted – role for Jews in the decades preceding emancipation. Analyzing these texts helps show how property, both literal and symbolic, could be used to clarify and critique Jews’ experiences of acculturation, migration, and secularization in the middle of the nineteenth century.

Stress and support: The dual role of the migrant community in the acculturation of Korean migrant families in Australia

AbstractDespite recent exploration of diverse acculturation experiences, there is still limited understanding of the specific acculturation features of the migrant experience. To address this gap, the current study aimed to explore subjective acculturation experiences of Korean migrant families by focusing on the contexts of home country, migrant community, and marital relationship. Twenty‐three married South Korean migrants with young children participated in four focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to identify major themes from the discussion. Participants reported that, contrary to a stressful life in Korea, they developed premigration expectations regarding a relaxed life in Australia. However, once the participants became involved in the Korean migrant community in Australia, their expectations were mismatched by recreating their previous stressful lives in the new country. The Korean migrant community was helpful in participants' adaptation but also unhelpful in handling acculturation issues of mismatched expectations and parental stress. The study also found that although some postmigration marital conflicts arose, marital communication in the relationship may have a protective role in solving migrants' difficulties. These findings highlight the need for enhancing the traditional acculturation framework with other theoretical frameworks to capture both general and specific acculturation features of the migrant experience.