title: The Exploration of Acculturation and Health Among Immigrants From Non-Eastern Cultures.
abstract: Literature on acculturation has been mainly focused on how acculturation influences the perception of health and well-being among immigrants from non-Western cultures. Conversely, we sought to explore immigration experiences associated with health and well-being among immigrants from non-Eastern cultures during their acculturation process. With a sample of 9 participants, we identified two major themes as outcomes of acculturation: psychological well-being and social benefits. We found that during acculturation, Western immigrants improved their sense of happiness, experienced reduced stress, and discovered meaning through activities, and that overall, acculturation facilitated personal growth. In addition, they developed a sense of cross-group friendships with Korean people and facilitated group cohesion within their own ethnic group. Further implications and future research avenues are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Junhyoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Jinmoo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.affiliation: Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea parkse@seoultech.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Se-Hyuk
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: coping and adaptation; culture / cultural competence; ethnicity; health and well-being; immigrants / migrants