title: Contextual Approach to Acculturative Stress Among Latina Immigrants in the U.S.
abstract: Based on Family Stress Management theory, we explored the contextual influence on acculturative stress and psychological distress. We included 639 Latinas from the National Latino Asian American Survey. We hypothesized that (a) impact of acculturative stress on psychological distress depends on specific contexts; (b) U.S. climate (i.e., perceived discrimination, happiness with U.S. move, years in the U.S.) impacts acculturative stress and psychological distress the most, and (c) contextual factors interact in impacting acculturative stress. Acculturative stress did not always lead to psychological distress. Perceived discrimination and difficulty visiting family abroad were positively associated with acculturative stress. Years in the U.S. and happiness with the U.S. move were negatively associated with acculturative stress. Years in the U.S. and perceived discrimination interacted in predicting acculturative stress. These results can aid formulation of effective interventions that target contexts likely to impact acculturative stress and psychological distress among Latinas.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA, venerab@illinois.edu.
authors.forename: Venera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bekteshi
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Hook
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D063505:Racism / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States