Acculturative process, health, and health behaviors of Arab Americans

A descriptive cross-sectional study that involved 297 adult Arab Americans using self-report was conducted to describe the relationships between specific health and healthy behavior indicators and acculturation in this group. The study was guided by an integrated framework based on Berry's acculturation model and Melies' transition theory. Data were collected on chronic disease prevalence, demographics, acculturation, general health, health behaviors, and cancer screening practices. Acculturation was measured using the Acculturation Rating Scale of Arab Americans (ARSAA-II), general health was measured using the SF-36 Health Survey, and health promotion behaviors were measured using the Health Promotion and Lifestyle Profile (HPLPII). Descriptive statistics as well as multiple regression and logistic regression were used to predict health and health behaviors. The results show that the reported prevalence of chronic diseases was similar to the U.S. population. Smoking and alcohol drinking showed strong associations with gender and religion, respectively. Rates of cancer screening practices were far below the Healthy People 2010 goals. Participants reported better physical and worse mental health status than the published norms of the U.S. population. Physical health was not associated with acculturation, whereas better mental health was associated with attraction to the American culture. Health promotion practices were differentially associated with both attraction to American and Arabic cultures. Generally, the findings suggest that, when demographic variables are controlled, health and health behaviors show differential associations with acculturation. Some of these associations resemble those reported among other immigrant groups, whereas others were unique to this group.