title: Dimensions of acculturation: associations with health risk behaviors among college students from immigrant families.
abstract: In the present study, we examined a bidimensional model of acculturation (which includes both heritage and U.S. practices, values, and identifications) in relation to hazardous alcohol use, illicit drug use, unsafe sexual behavior, and impaired driving. A sample of 3,251 first- and second-generation immigrant students from 30 U.S. colleges and universities completed measures of behavioral acculturation; cultural values (individualism, collectivism, and self-construal); ethnic and U.S. identity; and patterns of alcohol and drug use, engagement in potentially unsafe sexual activities, and driving while (or riding with a driver who was) intoxicated. Results indicate that heritage practices and collectivist values were generally protective against health risk behaviors, with collectivist values most strongly and consistently protective. Nonetheless, heritage identifications were positively associated with sexual risk taking for Hispanics. U.S. practices, values, and identifications were not consistently related to risk behavior participation. Results are discussed in terms of bidimensional approaches to acculturation, the immigrant paradox, and implications for counseling practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA. SSchwartz@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Seth J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Weisskirch
authors.forename: Byron L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Zamboanga
authors.forename: Linda G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: Lindsay S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Ham
authors.forename: Que-Lam
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.forename: Irene J K
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Roxanne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: Su Yeong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vernon
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cano
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012933:Social Identification; D012945:Social Values; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult