“The Tourist Season Goes Down But Not the Prices.” Tourism and Food Insecurity in Rural Costa Rica

Data from women in two communities in rural Costa Rica were analyzed in order to examine food insecurity in an area undergoing a shift from an agricultural economy to tourism (e.g., eco/adventure tourism). While there were significant differences in socio-economic status between the two communities, the prevalence of food insecurity was high in both, ranging from 67% in the agricultural community to 73% in the tourism community. Not being a member of a food cooperative (OR = 4.85), not having a working stove (OR = 6.27), and increasing body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.32) predicted food insecurity in both communities. Additionally, the frequency of condiment use was inversely associated with food insecurity (OR = .363). These findings along with other data suggest that food insecurity is a problem in this area. Furthermore, dietary quality associated with food insecurity might be responsible for the high prevalence of obesity among the study participants.     

Measuring acculturation among male Arab immigrants in the United States: an exploratory study

Given the absence of empirical measures that assess acculturation patterns among male Arab immigrants, a new acculturation instrument was developed and evaluated. One hundred and fifteen adult male Arab immigrants were administered the Male Arab Acculturation Scale (MAAS), and psychometrically established measures of ethnic identity and self-esteem. Satisfactory reliability is reported for the two acculturation scales, separation/assimilation and integration/marginalization. Ethnic identity, self-construal, personal self-esteem, and collective self-esteem appear to be differentially associated with acculturation patterns among male Arab immigrants.     

Acculturation, parent-child acculturation differential, and chronic disease risk factors in a Mexican-American population

Acculturation is typically defined in terms of individual responses to a dominant culture. In the present study, we examined the effects of different levels of acculturation among family members. Specifically, we looked at the health and risk behavior in Mexican-American children as related to a variety of psychosocial predictors, especially the differences in orientation toward Mexican- and Anglo-American cultures between them and their parents. Mother and child pairs (n = 106) noted their orientation toward both Anglo and Mexican cultures. Childrens dietary and sedentary behaviors, tobacco and alcohol use (and susceptibility to use), and depressive symptoms were also measured. Males were more likely to be sedentary and consume higher levels of total fat and saturated fat, whereas girls reported higher levels of depression. Anglo-oriented youth consumed lower levels of calories from fat but also more alcohol than did their Mexican-oriented counterparts. The latter was particularly the case among those children who were relatively more Anglo oriented than were their parents. Parent–child acculturation differential in terms of the differences in Mexican orientation, in comparison, predicted susceptibility to tobacco use. However, the sum of the absolute values of these two differences predicted only lifetime alcohol use, and in a counter-intuitive direction. This familial measure of acculturation shows some promise, but additional formative research is needed to operationalize this construct.     

Culture Change and Ethnic-Minority Health Behavior: An Operant Theory of Acculturation

Data on acculturation and ethnic-minority health indicate that acculturation has opposite effects on the same health behavior among different ethnic groups; opposite effects on different health behaviors within an ethnic group; opposite effects on the same health behavior for the women vs. the men of most ethnic groups; and no effect whatsoever on some health behaviors for some ethnic groups. This evidence is so incoherent that it is unintelligible, and hence it continues to be largely useless to health psychology and behavioral medicine. This paper presents a new theory of acculturation that renders these confusing data coherent by predicting such changes in minority health behavior a priori. By so doing, the operant model of acculturation has the potential to improve health promotion and disease prevention and thereby reduce ethnic health disparities.     

Acculturation and health beliefs of Mexican Americans regarding tuberculosis prevention

Mexican Americans are at particular risk of contracting tuberculosis. Yet too little is known about perceptions influencing their health. This study investigated gender and acculturation differences in TB-specific Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs, and the applicability of the HBM's traditional configuration to Mexican Americans. Acculturation and gender substantially influenced the findings. Traditional Mexican Americans reported higher perceived susceptibility and seriousness, more barriers, and greater attention to cues regarding TB prevention than Highly Integrated Biculturals. Women reported greater benefits, attention to cues, and intent to engage in TB prevention behaviors than men. Highly Integrated Bicultural men reported less attention to cues and less intent to engage in health behaviors than other groups. The traditional HBM configuration did not fit this sample. Reconfiguration did, however, result in adequate fit. Overall, higher perceived susceptibility, action benefits, attention to media cues, and female gender predicted greater intent to engage in TB health behaviors.     

Exploring the effects of psychosocial and acculturation factors on drinking behavior among aboriginal adolescents in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of psychosocial and acculturation factors on drinking behavior among Taiwanese aboriginal teenagers. Stratified random sampling was used to select six of the 19 aboriginal schools in Taipei, Pingtung, Hualien, and Taitung counties. A total of 495 student subjects were enrolled in the study, including 290 boys and 205 girls, with classification by tribe of 206 Amis, 97 Atayal, 94 Paiwan, 47 Bunun, 19 Rukai, 15 Yami, 10 Puyuma, two Saisiyat, one Tsou, and four unknown. The analysis indicated that the psychosocial and acculturation factors that directly influenced drinking behaviors of aboriginal teenagers were: self-efficacy, drinking behaviors of parents, peer alcohol use, social assimilation, social attitude, and territorial attitude. In this model, peer alcohol use had the most prominent impact on drinking behavior among aboriginal teenagers. The findings suggest that parents' behaviors play a significant role in the development of problematic drinking behavior in the aboriginal teenager through observation and imitation, and also that self-efficacy and the level of acculturation influences drinking behavior in aboriginal teenagers.     

Profiling nurses' job satisfaction,acculturation, work environment,stress, cultural values and coping abilities: A cluster analysis

This study aimed to determine whether definable profiles existed in a cohort of nursing staff with regard to demographic characteristics, job satisfaction, acculturation, work environment, stress, cultural values and coping abilities. A survey was conducted in one hospital in Singapore from June to July 2012, and 814 full‐time staff nurses completed a self‐report questionnaire (89% response rate). Demographic characteristics, job satisfaction, acculturation, work environment, perceived stress, cultural values, ways of coping and intention to leave current workplace were assessed as outcomes. The two‐step cluster analysis revealed three clusters. Nurses in cluster 1 (n = 222) had lower acculturation scores than nurses in cluster 3. Cluster 2 (n = 362) was a group of younger nurses who reported higher intention to leave (22.4%), stress level and job dissatisfaction than the other two clusters. Nurses in cluster 3 (n = 230) were mostly Singaporean and reported the lowest intention to leave (13.0%). Resources should be allocated to specifically address the needs of younger nurses and hopefully retain them in the profession. Management should focus their retention strategies on junior nurses and provide a work environment that helps to strengthen their intention to remain in nursing by increasing their job satisfaction.     

The role of acculturation in life satisfaction among Hispanic cancer survivors: results of the American Cancer Society's study of cancer survivors

Objective: We sought to identify the role of acculturation in the life satisfaction of Hispanic cancer survivors. Methods: We compared life satisfaction among the high‐ vs low‐acculturated Hispanics who participated in a national, cross‐sectional study of quality of life among cancer survivors. Results: Despite fewer socio‐economic resources, low‐acculturated Hispanic survivors had higher life satisfaction (Beta=5.08, p<0.05). This relationship was mediated by higher levels of social support and spirituality found among low‐acculturated survivors, with spirituality being the strongest predictor (Beta=0.379, p<0.001). Conclusions: Acculturation may provide opportunities for improved socio‐economic status often necessary for adequate functioning in the host culture. However, it may also result in a departure from traditional cultural values, which in turn may negatively impact life satisfaction during cancer survivorship. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Role of Family Support and Parental Monitoring as Mediators in Mexican American Adolescent Drinking

This study contributes to the current gap in the literature on drinking behaviors among Mexican American youth by exploring the role of family relationships as a mediator against alcohol use. This is a secondary analysis of data from a nationally representative study on Adolescent Health (ADD Health) collected in 1995 and focuses on a sample (n = 1,424) of Mexican American teens across the United States. Analysis of the data utilizes multiple regression to identify risks and protective factors of adolescent drinking in Mexican American youth. The study's implications and limitations are noted and important areas for future research are considered.     

The impact of cultural characteristics on colorectal cancer screening adherence among Filipinos in the United States: a pilot study

Objectives: Studies on colorectal cancer screening among specific Asian American groups are limited despite the fact that Asians are comprised of culturally distinct subgroups. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of cultural characteristics on colorectal cancer screening adherence among Filipinos in the United States. Methods: One hundred and seventeen Filipino men and women aged 50 years or older participated in the cross‐section research design. Lifetime proportion of immigration, language preference and cultural beliefs of personal control regarding health outcomes measured cultural characteristics. Demographic and healthcare variables were also measured to describe the study sample. Participant recruitment employed culturally responsive sampling methods. Results: There was no significant association between language preference and screening. Likewise, perceived personal internal control of health outcome was not related to screening. However, personal external control revealed a marginally significant association. The percent of lifetime residence in the United States was significantly greater among those who were adherent to screening than those who were not adherent. After adjusting for demographic and healthcare variables, the relationship between length of immigration and screening adherence was no longer significant. Finally, age and doctor's recommendation showed significant impact on colorectal cancer screening adherence. Discussion: This pilot study adds to the knowledge regarding cultural factors associated with colorectal cancer screening behaviors among Filipino Americans. Future research is needed to confirm findings that will be useful in developing culturally appropriate strategies to increase screening adherence. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.