Name of Event/Presentation: 2024 conference of the Eastern Psychological Association meeting
Date of Presentation: February 29 - March 2, 2024
Type of Presentation: Undergraduate Poster Presentation Session
Title of Study: Acculturation of South Asian Youth: Generational Differences and Impacts on Psychological Well-being
Abstract:
Acculturation is a nonlinear process where individuals choose to connect their host culture and their cultural identity, influencing cultural values, behaviors, family obligations and psychological well-being including ethnic identity, self-esteem, and stress. Given that the host culture typically has more power compared to the individual’s other cultural groups, it is important to examine how acculturation strategies vary among different generations and influence psychological well-being. This review of the literature aimed to examine whether preferences for primary and secondary acculturation strategies between first generation (G1) and second generation (G2) South Asian adolescents and young adults differentially affected their psychological wellbeing.
The model driving this literature review is Berry’s 1974 Model of Acculturation, which proposed four modes of acculturation: assimilation, separation, integration, and marginalization. Assimilation occurs when an individual does not wish to maintain their cultural identity. Separation occurs when an individual does not wish to interact with members of the host culture and maintain their own culture. Integration involves an individual maintaining their cultural identity while interacting with the host culture. Finally, Marginalization occurs when an individual is not interested in maintaining their culture of origin or interacting with the host culture.
Based on previous studies with samples of South Asian adolescents and young adults, it was first hypothesized that that the acculturation strategy of integration would be the primary and preferred acculturation strategy of choice for G1 and G2 and will have a generally similar positive effect on the psychological wellbeing of South Asian adolescents. It also was hypothesized that G1 and G2 would choose different secondary acculturation strategies resulting in differential impact on psychological well-being.
45 articles were reviewed, of which 20 were chosen to identify differences in primary and secondary acculturation strategies between G1 and G2 South Asian adolescents and young adults and possible differential impacts on their psychological wellbeing. Four databases, including Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA), PsycArticles, and JStor were searched, with search terms including ‘Acculturation,’ ‘South Asian,’ ‘Generational Differences,’ ‘First-Generation,’ ‘Second-Generation,’ ‘Psychological Well-Being,’ ‘Self Esteem’, and ‘Ethnic Pride.’ Articles were initially screened by their title and abstract. Publications were excluded if they did not include a discussion about psychological wellbeing, including ethnic pride or self-esteem, or if the primary ethnic group focused on was not a minority, preferably of Asian descent. Additionally, articles were excluded if they did not discuss ingroup or outgroup characteristics, acculturation attitudes, or generational status.
Although the primary group of interest was South Asian adolescents living in the United States, there were few studies that fit this criterion. Because of this limitation, various geographic regions were included such as South Asian adolescents living in Europe, East Asia, and Oceania.
Preliminary results reveal differences between G1 and G2 youths’ preference for acculturation strategies across different regions. For example, in Western countries like Canada, G1 and G2 youth prefer integration first, though the second choice of acculturation strategy varies between separation (G1) and assimilation (G2). However, in East Asian countries like China, the primary acculturation strategy of choice is marginalization. As described in Yoon et al (2013), integration is positively correlated with positive psychological wellbeing, while marginalization is positively correlated with negative psychological wellbeing.
Preliminary results also revealed differences between psychological wellbeing as it relates to differences in acculturation strategies and generational differences. Overall, primary choice of acculturation strategy predicts self-esteem among Asian American adolescents and young adults. In Western countries (where integration is the preferred acculturation strategy), G1 South Asian immigrants’ acculturation-related in-group hassles contribute to psychological distress, while G2 South Asian immigrants’ acculturation-related outgroup hassles contribute to psychological distress.
It is important to examine the effects of preferred acculturation strategies on psychological wellbeing, as acculturation heavily influences an individual’s identity. Individuals navigating this complex process may experience identity conflicts or create a hybrid identity that integrates both cultural influences. Acculturation has significant implications on an individual’s sense of self. Understanding which acculturation strategy is used by an individual, and how that strategy may positively or negatively impact their psychological well-being, can better inform how mental health professionals tailor interventions that align with South Asian adolescents and young adults’ unique cultural identity.
This review also revealed a gap in the literature. For example, while there has been research done describing the effects of differences in acculturation strategies on the psychological wellbeing of South Asian youth in Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong, few studies have examined these concepts for South Asian youth living in America. More often, acculturation research done on South Asian immigrants in America uses adult populations. Research done on non-South Asian G1 and G2 immigrant youth in America show that there are significant issues with psychological wellbeing related to acculturation strategies. Given that South Asian youth is a rapidly growing population in America, more research is needed for this group.
Future research questions should examine why there is a difference between acculturation strategies regionally, but not so much generationally within the same region? Additional research should also look at why acculturation strategies are the same between generations, and why are there significant differences regarding psychological wellbeing (as it relates to acculturation) within generations?
Date of Presentation: February 29 - March 2, 2024
Type of Presentation: Undergraduate Poster Presentation Session
Title of Study: Acculturation of South Asian Youth: Generational Differences and Impacts on Psychological Well-being
Abstract:
Acculturation is a nonlinear process where individuals choose to connect their host culture and their cultural identity, influencing cultural values, behaviors, family obligations and psychological well-being including ethnic identity, self-esteem, and stress. Given that the host culture typically has more power compared to the individual’s other cultural groups, it is important to examine how acculturation strategies vary among different generations and influence psychological well-being. This review of the literature aimed to examine whether preferences for primary and secondary acculturation strategies between first generation (G1) and second generation (G2) South Asian adolescents and young adults differentially affected their psychological wellbeing.
The model driving this literature review is Berry’s 1974 Model of Acculturation, which proposed four modes of acculturation: assimilation, separation, integration, and marginalization. Assimilation occurs when an individual does not wish to maintain their cultural identity. Separation occurs when an individual does not wish to interact with members of the host culture and maintain their own culture. Integration involves an individual maintaining their cultural identity while interacting with the host culture. Finally, Marginalization occurs when an individual is not interested in maintaining their culture of origin or interacting with the host culture.
Based on previous studies with samples of South Asian adolescents and young adults, it was first hypothesized that that the acculturation strategy of integration would be the primary and preferred acculturation strategy of choice for G1 and G2 and will have a generally similar positive effect on the psychological wellbeing of South Asian adolescents. It also was hypothesized that G1 and G2 would choose different secondary acculturation strategies resulting in differential impact on psychological well-being.
45 articles were reviewed, of which 20 were chosen to identify differences in primary and secondary acculturation strategies between G1 and G2 South Asian adolescents and young adults and possible differential impacts on their psychological wellbeing. Four databases, including Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA), PsycArticles, and JStor were searched, with search terms including ‘Acculturation,’ ‘South Asian,’ ‘Generational Differences,’ ‘First-Generation,’ ‘Second-Generation,’ ‘Psychological Well-Being,’ ‘Self Esteem’, and ‘Ethnic Pride.’ Articles were initially screened by their title and abstract. Publications were excluded if they did not include a discussion about psychological wellbeing, including ethnic pride or self-esteem, or if the primary ethnic group focused on was not a minority, preferably of Asian descent. Additionally, articles were excluded if they did not discuss ingroup or outgroup characteristics, acculturation attitudes, or generational status.
Although the primary group of interest was South Asian adolescents living in the United States, there were few studies that fit this criterion. Because of this limitation, various geographic regions were included such as South Asian adolescents living in Europe, East Asia, and Oceania.
Preliminary results reveal differences between G1 and G2 youths’ preference for acculturation strategies across different regions. For example, in Western countries like Canada, G1 and G2 youth prefer integration first, though the second choice of acculturation strategy varies between separation (G1) and assimilation (G2). However, in East Asian countries like China, the primary acculturation strategy of choice is marginalization. As described in Yoon et al (2013), integration is positively correlated with positive psychological wellbeing, while marginalization is positively correlated with negative psychological wellbeing.
Preliminary results also revealed differences between psychological wellbeing as it relates to differences in acculturation strategies and generational differences. Overall, primary choice of acculturation strategy predicts self-esteem among Asian American adolescents and young adults. In Western countries (where integration is the preferred acculturation strategy), G1 South Asian immigrants’ acculturation-related in-group hassles contribute to psychological distress, while G2 South Asian immigrants’ acculturation-related outgroup hassles contribute to psychological distress.
It is important to examine the effects of preferred acculturation strategies on psychological wellbeing, as acculturation heavily influences an individual’s identity. Individuals navigating this complex process may experience identity conflicts or create a hybrid identity that integrates both cultural influences. Acculturation has significant implications on an individual’s sense of self. Understanding which acculturation strategy is used by an individual, and how that strategy may positively or negatively impact their psychological well-being, can better inform how mental health professionals tailor interventions that align with South Asian adolescents and young adults’ unique cultural identity.
This review also revealed a gap in the literature. For example, while there has been research done describing the effects of differences in acculturation strategies on the psychological wellbeing of South Asian youth in Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong, few studies have examined these concepts for South Asian youth living in America. More often, acculturation research done on South Asian immigrants in America uses adult populations. Research done on non-South Asian G1 and G2 immigrant youth in America show that there are significant issues with psychological wellbeing related to acculturation strategies. Given that South Asian youth is a rapidly growing population in America, more research is needed for this group.
Future research questions should examine why there is a difference between acculturation strategies regionally, but not so much generationally within the same region? Additional research should also look at why acculturation strategies are the same between generations, and why are there significant differences regarding psychological wellbeing (as it relates to acculturation) within generations?