Skip to main content
Log in

Psychosocial Predictors of Acculturative Stress in Central American Immigrants

  • Published:
Journal of Immigrant Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Little previous research has examined acculturative stress among Central American immigrants in the United States. This study explored psychosocial predictors of acculturative stress in a sample of Central American immigrants in Los Angeles. Bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed that family dysfunction, nonmarried status, ineffective social support, nonpositive expectations for the future, infrequent church attendance, and lack of agreement with the decision to migrate were significantly associated with greater levels of acculturative stress. The findings highlight the importance of using culturally relevant clinical methods when assessing and treating acculturating individuals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Berry JW: Psychology of acculturation. In Berman JJ, ed. Nebraska Symposium on Motivation: Vol. 37. Cross-Cultural Perspectives. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press; 1990, pp 201–234

    Google Scholar 

  2. Berry JW, Kim U, Minde T, Mok D: Comparative studies of acculturative stress. Int Migration Rev 1987; 21:491–511

    Google Scholar 

  3. Berry JW, Kim U: Acculturation and mental health. In Dasen P, Berry JW, Sartorius N, eds. Health and Cross-Cultural Psychology: Towards Application. London: Sage; 1988; pp 207–236

    Google Scholar 

  4. Williams CL, Berry JW: Primary prevention of acculturative stress among refugees: Application of psychological theory and practice. Am Psychol 1991; 46:632–641

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hovey JD, King CA: Suicidality among acculturating Mexican-Americans: Current knowledge and directions for research. Suicide Life Threat Behav 1997; 27:92–103

    Google Scholar 

  6. Padilla AM, Cervantes RC, Maldonado M, Garcia RE: Coping responses to psychosocial stressors among Mexican and Central American immigrants. J Community Psychol 1988; 16:418–427

    Google Scholar 

  7. Marín G, Sabogal F, VanOss Marín B, Otero-Sabogal R, Perez-Stable EJ: Development of a short acculturation scale for Hispanics. Hispanic J Behav Sci 1987; 9:183–205

    Google Scholar 

  8. Epstein NB, Baldwin LM, Bishop DS: The McMaster Family Assessment Device. J Marital Family Ther 1983; 9:171–180

    Google Scholar 

  9. Halvorsen JG: Self-report family assessment instruments: An evaluative review. Family Practice Res J 1991; 11:21–55

    Google Scholar 

  10. Weinert C: A social support measure: PRQ85. Nurs Res 1987; 36:273–277

    Google Scholar 

  11. Weinert C, Brandt PA: Measuring social support with the Personal Resource Questionnaire. Western J Nurs Res 1987; 9:589–602

    Google Scholar 

  12. Weinert C, Tilden VP: Measures of social support: Assessment of validity. Nurs Res 1990; 39:212–216

    Google Scholar 

  13. Mena FJ, Padilla AM, Maldonado M: Acculturative stress and specific coping strategies among immigrant and later generation college students. Hispanic J Behavi Sci 1987; 9:207–225

    Google Scholar 

  14. Padilla AM, Alvarez M, Lindholm KJ: Generational status and personality factors as predictors of stress in students. Hispanic J Behav Sci 1986; 8:275–288

    Google Scholar 

  15. Brislin RW, Lonner WJ, Thorndike EM: Cross-Cultural Research Methods. New York: Wiley, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  16. Minium EW: Statistical reasoning in psychology and education. New York: Wiley, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hovey JD: Acculturative stress in Mexican-American immigrants. Unpublished raw data, 1996

  18. Rueschenberg E, Buriel R: Mexican American family functioning and acculturation: A family systems perspective. Hispanic J Behav Sci 1989; 11:232–244

    Google Scholar 

  19. Sabogal F, Marín G, Otero-Sabogal R, VanOss Marín B, Perez-Stable EJ: Hispanic familism and acculturation: What changes and what doesn't? Hispanic J Behav Sci 1987; 9:397–412

    Google Scholar 

  20. Vega WA, Kolody B, Valle JR: The relationship of marital status, confidant support, and depression among Mexican immigrant women. J Marriage Family 1986; 48:597–605

    Google Scholar 

  21. Golding JM, Burnam MA: Stress and social support as predictors of depressive symptoms in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites. J Social Clin Psychol 1990; 9:268–287

    Google Scholar 

  22. Holtzman EH, Gilbert LA: Social support networks for parenting and psychological well-being among dual-earner Mexican-American families. J Community Psychol 1987; 15:176–186

    Google Scholar 

  23. Sarason IG, Levine HM, Basham RB, Sarason BR: Assessing social support: The Social Support Questionnaire. J Pers Soc Psychol 1983; 44:127–139

    Google Scholar 

  24. Stack S: Marriage, family, religion, and suicide. In Maris RW, Berman AL, Maltsberger JT, Yufit RI, eds. Assessment and Prediction of Suicide. New York: Guilford, Press 1992: pp 540–552

    Google Scholar 

  25. Stack S, Wasserman I: The effect of religion on suicide ideology: An analysis of the networks perspective. J Sci Study Religion 1992; 31:457–466

    Google Scholar 

  26. Hovey JD: Acculturative stress, depression, and suicidal ideation among Central American immigrants. Suicide Life Threat Behav; in press

  27. Cervantes RC, Castro FG: Stress, coping, and Mexican American mental health: A systematic review. Hispanic J Behav Sci 1985; 18:1–73

    Google Scholar 

  28. Dana RH: Assessment of acculturation in Hispanic Populations. Hispanic J Behav Sci 1996; 18:317–328

    Google Scholar 

  29. Aresti L: Political reality and psychological damage. In Aron A, ed. Flight, Exile and Return: Mental Health and the Refugee. San Francisco: Committee for Health Rights in Central America, 1988, pp 54–76

    Google Scholar 

  30. Aron A: Journey to recovery: The healing process. Women Ther 1992; 13:173–189

    Google Scholar 

  31. Bowen DJ, Carscadden L, Beighle K, Fleming I: Post-traumatic stress disorder among Salvadoran women: Empirical evidence and description of treatment. Women Ther 1992; 13:267–280

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hovey, J.D. Psychosocial Predictors of Acculturative Stress in Central American Immigrants. Journal of Immigrant Health 1, 187–194 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021859800694

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021859800694