Contributors to acculturative stress among immigrants: How population-based data can inform culturally competent practice with Latino and Asian American adults

Mounting evidence demonstrates the role of acculturative stress in poor health outcomes among foreign-born adults (Caplan, 2007; Finch & Vega, 2003); however, it is unclear why some immigrants are more susceptible to acculturative stress than others. By examining predictors of acculturative stress, we can identify risk and protective factors and design appropriate interventions to reduce exposure and vulnerability to acculturative stress among immigrants. Such efforts have the potential to reduce the decline in health status among immigrant populations that tends to occur with increased residency in the U.S. (Alegrķa, et al., 2007; Takeuchi et al., 2007). This study examines the extent to which stress, family and neighborhood factors are associated with acculturative stress among immigrants. Data for this study are from the National Latino Asian American Study (NLAAS). Weighted multivariate logistic regressions were used to estimate the association between family relationships (cultural conflict, cohesion), neighborhood factors (perceived safety, cohesion), discrimination and acculturative stress among a nationally representative sample of 3268 Latino and Asian American foreign-born adults. Models were estimated separately for Asian and Latino groups. Findings indicated that English language proficiency, longer residence in the U.S., and perceived neighborhood cohesion were associated with lower acculturative stress for at least one group. Perceived discrimination was associated with higher acculturative stress for both groups. Family cultural conflict and cohesion were not associated with acculturative stress for either group. Findings identify malleable protective and risk factors that can be used to develop culturally appropriate interventions to improve health and well-being in immigrant communities.