Questioning the Dietary Acculturation Paradox: A Mixed-Methods Study of the Relationship between Food and Ethnic Identity in a Group of Mexican-American Women

Background

Epidemiological studies have described an “acculturation paradox.” Increased acculturation to the United States is associated with increased consumption of dietary fat and decreased consumption of fruits/vegetables.

Ethnicity,length of residence,and prospective trends in body mass index in a national sample of Australian adults (2006–2014)

Purpose

Increasing global migration, high obesity in developed countries, and ethnic health inequalities are compelling reasons to monitor immigrant obesity trends. Longitudinal studies of ethnicity, length of residence, and adiposity in contexts outside of the United States are lacking.

Predictors of complementary and alternative medicine use among older Mexican Americans

To determine predictors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, we used a cohort of 1445 non-institutionalized Mexican Americans aged 65 and older from the first wave (1993–1994) of the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly, followed until 2000–2001. The main outcome was use of any CAM (herbal medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, relaxation techniques or spiritual healing) in the past 12 months and was assessed at 7 years of follow-up. Potential predictors of CAM use at baseline included sociodemographics, acculturation factors, and medical conditions. The overall rate of CAM use among older Mexican Americans was 31.6%. Independent predictors of higher CAM use were female gender, being on Medicaid, frequent church attendance and higher number of medical conditions. In contrast, subjects who were born in US and spoke either Spanish or English at interview had lower CAM use compared with subjects who were born in Mexico.     

精神分析培训在中国--文化殖民或文化适应

当今精神分析在中国有了重要的发展,尤其以出现诸多精神分析培训为标志。精神分析不仅仅是一个心理咨询理论流派,也是一种重要的文化和哲学思想,因此在中国的精神分析培训中也带来了文化冲击。本文探讨了中国精神分析培训的现状以及特点,分析了参加培训者通过精神分析培训满足权威认同的文化心理,探讨了接受长程精神分析的受训者,受西方个人为中心价值观的渗透所带来的咨询治疗实务中以及现实生活中的挑战与冲突。未来精神分析在中国的发展,一方面要警觉西方文化殖民主义,要展开东西方对话而不是西方独语;另一方面要在文化融合中推陈出新,中国的精神分析学者、心理咨询与心理治疗工作者为世界精神分析的发展作出创新性贡献。     

Beyond acculturation: Immigration,discrimination, and health research among Mexicans in the United States

Evidence suggests that, despite their lower socio-economic status, certain health outcomes are better for first-generation Mexican immigrants than their US-born counterparts. Socio-cultural explanations for this apparent epidemiological paradox propose that culture-driven health behaviors and social networks protect the health of the first generation and that, as immigrants acculturate, they lose these health-protecting factors. However, the prominence granted to acculturation within these explanations diverts attention from structural and contextual factors, such as social and economic inequalities, that could affect the health of immigrants and their descendants. The aim of this study is to offer a conceptual redirection away from individual-centered acculturation models towards a more complex understanding of immigrant adaptation in health research. To this end, 40 qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with first- and second-generation Mexican immigrant women in Southeastern Michigan. The women's narratives highlighted a key process linked to their integration into US society, in which the second generation experienced a more pervasive and cumulative exposure to “othering” than the first generation. The findings point to “othering” and discrimination as potential pathways through which the health of immigrants and their descendants erodes. The paper concludes by proposing a conceptual model that locates “othering” processes within a structural framework, and by drawing implications for research on immigrant health and on discrimination and health.     

文化取向与自尊对中学生抑郁的影响分析

目的探讨不同文化取向、自尊对中学生抑郁症状的影响,为实施中学生心理健康教育提供参考。方法采用流调中心用抑郁量表、个人主义和集体主义量表、自尊量表对733名中学生进行调查。结果中学生的文化取向以垂直个人主义取向为主;低年龄组中学生垂直个人主义得分显著高于高年龄组中学生(P<0.01),而躯体症状得分显著低于高年龄组中学生(P<0.01);中学生水平集体主义和垂直集体主义文化与抑郁症状呈显著正相关(P<0.01),自尊与抑郁症状呈显著负相关(P<0.01);自尊和水平个人主义对抑郁有显著的负向预测效应,水平集体主义和垂直集体主义对抑郁有显著的正向预测效应。结论中学生的文化取向及自尊与抑郁密切相关。     

Health status, health behaviors, and acculturation factors associated with overweight and obesity in Latinos from a community and agricultural labor camp survey

BACKGROUND: U.S. Latino adults have experienced an 80% increase in obesity in the last decade. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 18-64-year-old Latino women (N = 380) and men (N = 335) from a community sample, and men (N = 186) from an agricultural labor camp sample in Monterey County, California, provided data on correlates of obesity. RESULTS: In the community and labor camp samples, prevalences of chronic disease risk factors (high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes) were 1.5-7 times higher in the heaviest compared with the leanest weight groups. Higher acculturation (generational status, years lived in the United States) was the strongest correlate of obesity (measured by BMI) in the community sample (P < 0.001), followed by less exercise and poorer diet (P values < 0.05). Women who exercised <2.5 h/week, watched TV regularly, ate chips/fried snacks, and ate no fruit the previous day were 45 lbs heavier than women with healthier habits. Men who did not exercise, rarely trimmed fat from meat, and ate fried foods the previous day were 16 lbs heavier than men with healthier habits. Discussions with health care providers about diet/exercise were associated with more accurate weight perception and more weight loss attempts in obese participants in both samples. CONCLUSIONS: The associations of acculturation, exercise, and diet to BMI implicate societal as well as individual contributors to obesity among U.S. Latinos.     

Substance Abuse Among Asian Indians in the United States: A Consideration of Cultural Factors in Etiology and Treatment

We explore cultural factors that contribute to substance use in the Asian Indian population in the United State and propose culturally sensitive treatment, with an emphasis on family issues. The 2000 U.S. Census figures show that Asian Indians residing in this country have grown to about 1.7 million from the 1990 U.S. Census figure of 815,000. On average, Asian Indians have a higher level of education and proficiency in English compared with many other new immigrant groups. The median family income for Asian Indians in the United State in 1999 was $70,708, compared with $53,356 for Whites. Based on these statistics, Asian Indians are erroneously labeled a “model minority.” However, a closer look shows that Asian Indians are paid lower than their White counterparts with comparable education. Also, many Asian Indians live in areas where the cost of living is higher, and high family income does not automatically translate into a higher standard of living. There is large within-group disparities in income, and Asian Indian families might fall at either end of the Socio-economic status (SES) pole.     

The Impact of the Acculturation Process on Asian American Youth's Psychological Well-Being

TOPIC: Acculturation process and Asian American youth's psychological well-being. PURPOSE: This paper provides an overview of acculturation, its correlates, and psychological well-being of Asian American youth. SOURCES USED: Interdisciplinary research related to acculturation, ethnic socialization, and minority youth's psychological outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Familial ethnic socialization is mediated by demographic variables, parents' attitudes, and parent–child relationships. Parent–child relationships during acculturation predicts Asian American youth's psychological outcomes. The key components of culturally sensitive health care for Asian American youth include evaluation of family relationships, congruence in parents' and youth's acculturation patterns, and sensitivity to implications of the model minority image.     

Acculturation,Internalizing Mental Health Symptoms,and Self-Esteem: Cultural Experiences of Latino Adolescents in North Carolina

This investigation examined acculturation risk factors and cultural assets, internalizing behavioral problems, and self-esteem in 323 Latino adolescents living in North Carolina. Multiple regression analyses revealed two risk factors—perceived discrimination and parent–adolescent conflict—as highly significant predictors of adolescent internalizing problems and low self-esteem. Adolescents who were highly involved in Latino culture and who experienced high parent–adolescent conflict were found particularly at risk for internalizing problems. Biculturalism and familism were cultural assets found associated with fewer internalizing problems and higher self-esteem. For internalizing problems, familism’s protective effect was mediated by parent–adolescent conflict. Implications were discussed.